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Egmond en de Paasheuvel
Persoonlijk | Dit gedaan. Dat gedaan. Been there. Done that!
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20 November 2009 | 05:37:02
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Even in recent years, my father
who passed away,
two months ago, age 92,
would talk about walking "between these two women, you know ",
when he was about
9 years old and,
apparently recovering
from a vaccination,
gone wrong. | So I have always pictured
this little boy,
walking between
two matronly-type-women,
possibly across the dunes
and along the North Sea,
at Egmond aan Zee.
(Egmond on sea), in the Netherlands |
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(My father, a member, before me.)
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In three weeks' time, I shall
be staying in a town, not
too far from there and
shall certainly explore
the area. Just to get a feel of
what it was like,
for my father,
about 85 years ago.
It's going to be cold,
possibly wet and windy
(I'm writing this with
the air-conditioning on.
The curtains closed.
Hiding from the heat, in Sydney.) |
(Me, some years later.) |
I look forward to just
being there and crossing
that off my list and hopefully,
also catching the time machine,
to another part of the Netherlands,
away from the coast, to be
at the location known as,
the _*Paasheuvel*_,
in the woods of Vierhouten,
where, I, at about the age of 10,
or 11, I enjoyed sitting
around the campfire,
with possibly a hundred
other children,
as a member of the A.J.C..
(A left-wing youth organisation,
founded by some dedicated
school teachers, who were
very likely influenced
by the way the youth
in Germany were
being motivated to wear
uniforms; sing songs;
attend rallies; march together, etc..)
| from Wikipedia:
_Egmond aan Zee has been a popular seaside resort since the beginning of the 20th century, when it was well known for its healthy and clear sea air. Children came over to stay in one of the many "koloniehuizen" (colony houses), which were sanatorium-like institutions often run by charities and churches._
from http://www.iisg.nl/collections/ajc/
The AJC Strove to promote the socialist cultural ideal among its members. They developed characteristic manners - alcohol and tobacco were not allowed - and their own way of clothing and celebrating. Physical exercises and long walks were part of it, as well as singing and dancing. AJC members camped on their own grounds, such as the Paasheuvel in the woods of Vierhouten.
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The AJC was also active in
the political-cultural field.
The socialist cultural ideal
was promoted through activities
such as folk dancing, music,
songs, and mystery plays,
which encouraged community values.
Many public meetings,
such as youth rallies and
May 1 demonstrations,
shaped a political spirit.
Enthusiastic youth leaders,
mostly from teachers' circles,
were the driving force for the activities.
Since the twenties the AJC
had been in contact
with socialist movements
in neighbouring countries.
Since the twenties the AJC
had been in contact with
socialist movements
in neighboring countries.
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