Explore The North- Recap

Explore The North

Explore The North was fantastic! I enjoyed the festival tremendously! I decorated the show last friday. You can see an impression of the show in the video clip above. This video was shot by Reinout Meijer of the Leeuwarder Courant and is the last one in this series of 5 episodes. You can watch all 5 movies here.

The next day I had breakfast with a lot of musicians, writers and prominent figures from all over Northern Europe. I heard poems from Iceland, Sweden and Wales to name a few. All in their own native language with a translation afterwards. Our host was Jan Douwe Kroeske, well known for his radio and tv shows called 2 Meter Sessies.

Jan Douwe Kroeske called me to the stage for an interview and to hand over my painting Frisian Printing Press to the Leeuwarder Courant. This newspaper purchased my painting of which a part of the proceeds go to Youth Theatre School 'n Meeuw. Lieuwe Krol of this school was very pleased with this to say the least, as of course was I!

Afterwards I spoke to Jan Douwe Kroeske and the mayor of my hometown. We had a nice little chat about arts and culture in general. Jan Douwe said something I don't soon forget:'Never forget that an artist has power of their audience. It's up to you to show the way or even to lead.' That's a quote well worth remembering.

During the day I saw a lot of good musicians and writers. I especially enjoyed Jan Douwe Kroeske's 2 Meter Sessie in the same church where I showed my paintings.

He talked about his program and showed video clips of his sessions with some of the greatest musicians from the past. But the thing I liked most was his live guest Teitur. A musician from the Faroe Islands with an angelic voice. Just perfect.

In a time where I like to think that everything has gone commercial Explore the North proved me wrong. This festival wasn't about making money, this festival was about arts, music and literature with a heart and soul in it.

It was just great to see that so many people turned up to enjoy the real thing. I would like to thank everybody who made this festival possible and I can't wait for next years edition!

kind regards, Gerard

ps There's still some time left to bid on one of my paintings I made especially for Explore the North. A part of the proceeds go to Youth Theatre School 'n Meeuw. Bidding starts at 500,- euro or 690,- USD. You can place your bid by email. The auction closes dec 5th 2011.

www.gerardboersma.blogspot.com