Nijmegen Local Customs

On the 27th of 1975 Frank Boeijen was born in Nijmegen, His biggest idol is Bob Dylan…

Today he is probably one of the best know inhabitants of Nijmegen. After a musical career of 25 years Frank is still giving concerts in the St Stephens church and other locations in Nijmegen.

If you want to know more about this him and his music you can visit his website at www.frankboeijen.nl

The brooke through in the eighties during the Dutch New Wave period (together with Doe Maar and Toontje Lager). Dutch lingual music was suddenly rather popular and the lyrics were often quite full of protest, as well as the general love and tenderness. Sex and drugs also took their place, as well as public topics like "nuclear danger". Frank Boeijen, the spill in the band named after him ("Groep" = Group or Band). He soon was called the "troubadour" of Dutch pop music and I still love his work (bringing me back to the "good old days". He was born and bread "Nijmegenaar", therefor this tip.

Paul (VT-member Pavlik_NL) and Irina took their first lesson of argentine tango with Eric Jorissen in El Corte during the DobleOcho festival. It was really great for me to see them for the first time, particulary dancing in this magic place!!!

Well ... not a local custom, but book crossing (www.bookcrossing.com) has become popular in Nijmegen, thanks to 'Klaartje' ... Here she's left some books at the feet of Mariken's statue on the Grote Markt, as her picture shows ... The purpose is to go hunting for these books and announce the results on the internet.

Nijmegen has some reputation for being a city of radical leftists, and people preferring an alternative lifestyle, whatever that may be.
Well, all is relative of course (except 'all' naturally), but there seems to be a grain of truth in that. Nijmegen has known some of the fiercest 'krakersrellen' outside Amsterdam, and, reputedly was a very fashionable town during the eighties. The problem is, it has got something of a 'never change a winning formula' attitude about that, even though it is clearly not so winning anymore.
For anyone interested in living social history the town is a must :).
Places to watch:
moderate: the Gonzo
less moderate: de Bijstand
Radical: De Onderbroek, Extrapool

With a large resemblance to the cityweapon of Arnhem, Nijmegen too has a double headed eagle in it's city weapon. A perfect example of the shield can be found on the main entrance of the new cityhall.

Nijmegen holds the third place in largest "Kermis" (fun fair - carnival) within The Netherlands. Each October one can get thrilling rides in various machines, bumpercars, big wheels and many many gambling-machines and candy wagons.

This famous legend is also one of the oldest works in Dutch literature. The story in short: Mariken was living with her uncle as her parents were dead. When doing groceries in Nijmegen she is - falsely - accused of very bad things by her aunt and then gets tricked by the devil himself into leading the life of which she has been accused of. She moves with him to Antwerp, where they do everything God has forbidden. Later Mariken feels remorse and asks to go to Nijmegen again. She misses her uncle, the town ... everything. In Nijmegen she witnesses Catholic plays and finally recognises her dwelling. The devil hurts her very bad, but Mariken recovers and decides to ask forgiveness. However, no priest, munk or bishop dares to grant this for so much evil and so she travels to the Pope. She gets visited by an angel in her dream and he tells her about heavy steel rings she has to wear until the wear off. She does so, joins a convent and on a Sundaymorning, the rings fall off and she is freed of her sins.