Margie Jacobs en Marloes Verbeek
It began in 2012 with the question that many probably ask themselves during the carnival, 'why don't we actually participate in the parade?'.
"I was with friends in the pub on Carnival Monday when we asked each other that question," says Marloes from the carnival group Beejeingeklats. After the carnival, Marloes and three friends started and asked everyone in their environment - friends, family, acquaintances - and that's how the group was formed, we are literally and figuratively ‘beejeingeklats’!"
"The group now consists of 50 adults and 55 blage, with number 56 on the way," adds Margie. "We start in the summer, then people are asked if they have ideas. Those ideas are then shared with the rest after which everyone can vote. It's very democratic: the majority vote counts. From there, the committees get to work. Our creative club develops the costume and the theme. The presentation of the costume, complete crafting days, and meetings: everything takes place in the Ald Weihoes. The crafting days are when we make everything ourselves together. It's a well-oiled machine!”
"We were strangers, but now we celebrate Sinterklaas together, we have a 'blagedaag' in the summer, there are birthdays and weddings."
Margie Jacobs
"During the carnival, I live day by day," Marloes explains. "Apart from the parade, I have no obligations. If I'm having fun somewhere, I stay; otherwise, I move on. That feeling of letting go, that's carnival. I also always go out without a plan. That's also the advantage of such a 'beejeingeklats' group; you always run into someone!"
The group has become more than just a carnival group over the past ten years. "We were strangers, but now we celebrate Sinterklaas together, we have a 'blagedaag' in the summer, there are birthdays and weddings," says Margie. "It has become a group of friends."