Would I have seen the orange light? The parents of columnist Joris Brussel received a ribbon
IJmond
My parents last Tuesday in the town hall of Velsen both a ribbon†
From Mayor Frank Dales, on behalf of the King. As a thank you for their many years of volunteering in various roles and organizations.
I come from a not very sympathetic family, although I am now jokingly called ‘son of knights’ by those around me. King’s Day – or then Queen’s Day – meant for me as a sort of GI Joe dolls strolling at the Beverwijk flea market.
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And later it was an excuse to get very drunk on the train to Amsterdam once a year with a boys from the village. And then traditionally visit the Museumplein, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.
And as a veteran of Queen’s Day, I knew that the bars on Thorbeckeplein were overrun with youth from IJmond. The acquaintances with whom you had stood in the Heemskerk party tent the night before; There you stood next to each other the next day. None of us needed to catch the train. But without centuries in line for a beer, the toilet, a sandwich or a crossing to another street, there would be no Queen’s Day.
By now I know that Amsterdam is a very beautiful city. But not with King’s Day on Leidseplein. Yet it is the ‘fear of missing out’ that tempts me yearly goods to board a crowded train.
But this year it was different. Not only I am very proud of my parents and the other decorated ones. I did something else last Tuesday.
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A feeling that only increased when we pooped on the king with an orange bitter in the Velsen town hall. A drink that I last led from a liter bottle to Amsterdam years ago. And I also know it when singing Wilhelmus. I even put my hand on my chest.
Would it then? Would I have seen the orange light? Would the orange spirit come with age instead of wisdom? Or was the euphoria for the present around parents? I’ll leave you the answer to this for now, but come back to it next year.
the Museumplein urge has finally lost it. photo I am sitting in front of the television with an orange tompouce on my lap to see in which city our royal family can throw toilet bowls this time.
Brrr… next year may come out as an Orange family. And all thanks to a fantastic rain of ribbons.
‘Municipality of Velsen, thank you.
Joris Brussel (1987) is a columnist, writer, (urban) poet and communication strategist. He comes from Velsen-Noord and lives in Beverwijk. Every week he gives his opinion here.