Roermond

Introduction to Repair Cafés: Fostering Community and Sustainability through Collaborative Repair

Volunteers at the Repair Café Roermond.

Repair Cafés represent a global grassroots movement that marries sustainability with community engagement. These events, like the one held in Roermond, are free and open to everyone, offering a space where individuals can come together to repair broken items. The philosophy behind Repair Cafés is simple yet profound: rather than discarding and replacing, people are encouraged to repair and reuse, thereby reducing waste and promoting environmental stewardship.

At a Repair Café, participants bring in broken items from home—whether it's clothing, furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, or toys—and work alongside skilled volunteers to fix them. These volunteers, who possess a wide range of repair knowledge and skills, provide guidance and support, transforming what might otherwise be a frustrating experience into an educational and rewarding one. The act of repair becomes a shared endeavor, with visitors learning new skills, gaining confidence in their ability to fix things, and contributing to the collective knowledge of the community.

Even those who arrive with nothing to repair find value in the experience. They can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while observing the repair process, offer help to others, or simply gain inspiration from the books on DIY repair and crafting available at the reading table. The atmosphere at a Repair Café is one of collaboration and creativity, where the focus is not only on fixing items but also on building relationships and fostering a sense of community.

Repair Cafés are more than just places to mend broken objects; they are vibrant hubs of learning, sharing, and sustainability. They challenge the throwaway culture and emphasize the importance of resourcefulness, all while bringing people together in a spirit of cooperation and mutual support. Through these gatherings, Repair Cafés empower individuals to take an active role in reducing waste and preserving the environment, one repair at a time.

Some more volunteers at the Repair Café Roermond.

Het graf met de handjes (The Grave with the Little Hands), Oud Kerkhof, Roermond (The Netherlands)

Het graf met de handjes (The Grave with the Little Hands), Oud Kerkhof, Roermond (The Netherlands) —Josephine Caroline Petronella Hubertina van Aefferden (1820-1888) and Jacob Werner Constant van Gorkum (1809-1880).

"Het graf met de handjes" (The Grave with the Little Hands) is a poignant symbol of enduring love and defiance of societal norms in 19th-century Roermond. During this period, it was customary for Catholics and Protestants to be buried in separate sections of cemeteries, reflecting the saying "twee geloven op een kussen, daar slaapt de duivel tussen" (two religions on one pillow, the devil sleeps between them). This practice was challenged by the love story of Josephine van Aefferden and Jacob van Gorkum.

In 1842, Josephine, a Catholic noblewoman, married Jacob, a Protestant military officer. Their marriage faced strong opposition from Josephine’s family due to their differing religions and Jacob’s lower social status. Despite these challenges, the couple enjoyed a happy marriage for 38 years. Jacob died in 1880 and was buried in the Protestant section of the Oude Kerkhof cemetery, next to the wall separating it from the Catholic section.

When Josephine passed away eight years later, she chose to be buried in the Catholic section, directly opposite Jacob’s grave. To symbolize their eternal love, two identical grave monuments were erected on either side of the wall, connected by sculpted hands reaching over the barrier. This touching tribute defied the religious divisions of the time, illustrating that neither societal conventions nor death could separate the devoted couple.

The inscription "Vivit post funera virtus" (virtue lives on after death) on both gravestones underscores their enduring bond. It is believed that their remains were placed beneath the wall, allowing them to rest side by side for eternity. "Het graf met de handjes" remains a powerful testament to their love and the triumph of personal devotion over rigid societal constraints.

Santiago's Arm Relic in Roermond (The Netherlands) 

Along the Camino, where pilgrims tread,
Santiago's relic, by faith is led.
In Roermond's cathedral, a treasure rare,
Guiding the faithful with tender care.

A symbol of journey, through trials untold,
Santiago's arm, a beacon bold.
In the heart of the cathedral's embrace,
Seekers find solace, in its sacred space.

Oh Santiago, guide us along the way,
In Roermond's sanctuary, forever stay.
Your relic whispers tales of old,
On the Camino, where stories unfold.

Saint Christopher’s Cathedral in Roermond

Ptaha: A Choir of Resilience and Heritage

In the wake of the brutal Russian invasion, a group of courageous women who fled Ukraine found solace and strength in music. Brought together in Roermond by Peter Driessen, these women formed the choir Ptaha, a name that symbolizes their journey and resilience. Ptaha, meaning "bird" in Ukrainian, aptly represents their spirit of freedom and the beauty of their homeland's culture.

Specializing in Ukrainian folk music, Ptaha brings to life the rich, melodic traditions of their country. Their performances are deeply evocative, often accompanied by the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the bandura, a traditional Ukrainian instrument. This combination of vocal and instrumental music not only preserves their cultural heritage but also creates a poignant reminder of the homeland they had to leave behind.

For the members of Ptaha, the choir is more than just a musical ensemble; it is a sanctuary. Amidst the chaos and trauma of displacement, singing together provides a crucial sense of community and emotional relief. The shared act of making music helps them maintain their mental well-being, offering moments of joy and connection during these incredibly challenging times.

Through their performances, Ptaha not only honors the traditions of Ukraine but also embodies the resilience and hope of its people. Their songs tell stories of love, loss, and the enduring spirit of a nation, resonating with audiences and providing a powerful testament to the strength and solidarity of the Ukrainian community.

'Kermis' and its nobility in Roermond (The Netherlands)

Roermond’s ‘Kermis’ 2024.

The "kermis" is a lively and cherished fair tradition in the Netherlands, with roots that stretch back to medieval times. Originating from the term "kerk" (church) and "mis" (mass), the kermis began as a religious celebration marking the consecration day of a church. These events featured a mix of religious ceremonies, masses, and community festivities. Over the centuries, the religious significance of kermis gradually waned, evolving into a secular event characterized by amusement rides, games, food stalls, and entertainment.

In Roermond, a historic city in the Dutch province of Limburg, the kermis holds a special place in local tradition. Roermond's kermis blends traditional fair elements with the city's rich cultural heritage, highlighting local customs and community spirit. This event remains a vibrant part of Roermond’s cultural calendar, drawing visitors from near and far to experience its festive atmosphere and historical significance.

An unique aspect of Roermond’s kermis is the concept of "kermisadel" or "kermis nobility," introduced by Roermond journalist Piet Tummers (1919-2005). Tummers used the term to compare the city's prominent noble families with successful local fair operators who built impressive homes and monuments, forming a distinguished "kermis nobility." In the mid-19th century, Roermond attracted industrialists, artists, and musicians from the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Among these were Nicolas Xhaflaire and Catharina Bovy, who transitioned from peddling to the fair business around 1830 and established a kermis dynasty in Roermond.

Their descendants, such as Laurentius Xhaflaire and Margaretha Xhaflaire, who married into other fair families, continued to innovate and expand the fair industry. Jean Wolfs, for instance, introduced one of the first steam-driven carousels in the Netherlands. His descendants, like Gerard Wolfs, furthered the family’s success with luxurious homes and new fair attractions. The Van Bergen brothers, another branch of this kermisadel, founded the Royal Theaters in Roermond and Heerlen, showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit.

The kermis in the Catholic South of the Netherlands, including Roermond, retains its historical significance as a time of communal celebration and cultural heritage, reflecting a rich history, family ties, and local pride.

Impressions from Roermond’s ‘Kermis’ in 2024.

Remembering Roermond's city fire from 1665

The 2024 City Procession arriving at the ‘Kapel in 't Zand’.

The city fire of Roermond on May 31, 1665, started when a marksman participating in a procession fired into the air. The glowing bullet landed on a thatched roof, and the wind spread the fire. Three-quarters of the houses in the city went up in flames.

The population of the city, led by the bishop, went to the ‘Kapel in 't Zand’, just outside the city, to pray to Saint Mary. Joanna van Randenraedt, a devout unmarried woman, chose to stay in the city. She was known as a semi-saint, who had visions and predicted the future. Joanna threw a small statue of Mary from the Franciscan church into the fire. After that, the fire went out - no, it was thought that it was extinguished because of that.

Since then, every year in May, the City Procession travels from the Munsterplein to the ‘Kapel in 't Zand’. The city procession is also called the Candle Procession, because candles of the patron saints of all the water wells are carried and donated to the parish of ‘Kapel in 't Zand’. All this to thank Mary and the parish for all the help provided.

Saint Bernadette in Roermond and Tienray (The Netherlands)

Saint Bernadette’s reliquary in Roermond and Tienray (The Netherlands)

Currently, a relic of Bernadette Soubirous is traveling through the Netherlands. We visited "her" at the Munsterkerk in Roermond and at the "O.L. Vrouw Troosteres der Bedrukten" church in Tienray. This latter church is also known as "Little Lourdes" because a "grotto" has been installed there.

Bernadette Soubirous, born on January 7, 1844, in Lourdes, France, was a devout Catholic peasant girl who gained fame for her visions of the Virgin Mary. In 1858, at the age of 14, she claimed to have experienced a series of apparitions of a "beautiful lady" in a grotto near her home. The lady identified herself as the Immaculate Conception. Despite skepticism and scrutiny from both church authorities and locals, Bernadette remained steadfast in her testimony.

Following the apparitions, Bernadette became a nun and joined the Sisters of Charity in Nevers. She lived a humble and devout life, dedicated to prayer and serving others. She died at the age of 35 on April 16, 1879. Bernadette was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1933.

Bernadette's visions and her humble life have inspired countless pilgrims to visit Lourdes seeking healing and spiritual solace, and she remains an enduring symbol of faith and devotion within the Catholic tradition.