Paradepraat Podcast Explores Leading the Brabantsedag with Heart
HEEZE – How do you lead an event that is entirely powered by volunteers, attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year, and continues to reinvent itself decade after decade? In the latest episode of Paradepraat, the Brabantsedag podcast, two former board members reflect on their many years of dedication to the largest theatre parade of the year.
Host Maarten van der Velden and sidekick Martijn van Bree welcome Geert Hamers and Cees van Arendonk. Geert served as treasurer of the Brabantsedag Foundation for 24 years, while Cees spent more than 25 years on the board, overseeing the event's artistic programme. Both joined the board in 1990 and played a key role in the development and professionalisation of the Brabantsedag.
In the podcast, they look back on a time when the event was still written as Brabantse Dag and board meetings had a very different atmosphere. They also discuss how the organisation has evolved over the years. Safety regulations, legislation and visitor numbers were nowhere near as extensive as they are today.
Naturally, the episode is filled with memorable anecdotes. From local dignitaries sporting thick cigars and ceremonial chains of office to behind-the-scenes challenges and the decisions that helped the Brabantsedag continue to grow year after year.
Although neither Geert nor Cees still serves on the board, they speak about "their" Brabantsedag with the same enthusiasm as ever. Even today, they watch the parade each year with a healthy sense of anticipation. After all these years, one wish has remained unchanged: let there be no gap in the parade!
As in every episode, Martijn van Bree adds a new chapter to the Brabantsedag Encyclopaedia. This time, the spotlight is on the construction tent—a tribute to the place where, for months on end, people build, laugh, work together and form friendships that last a lifetime.
This episode, along with all previous episodes, is available on Spotify and at brabantsedag.nl/paradepraat.
Now in its fourth season, Paradepraat is the official podcast of the Brabantsedag in Heeze. Float builders, artists, volunteers and other guests share their stories about creating and experiencing large-scale performances and events.
A new episode is released every Friday.