Brabantsedag 2024
Float design, Vriendenkring Snoeyen
The Brabantsedag (Brabant Day) is a characteristic concept in Brabant, the Netherlands and even beyond. Every year, on the last Sunday of August, a theatrical parade draws through the streets of the village Heeze and brings history to life in a contemporary way. What started small in 1958 now attracts over 30.000 visitors every year.
The sixteen groups spend months on building the floats that are linked to the history of Duchy of Brabant, each with its own theme and telling a story. The audience is fascinated with the impressive theatre decors, its expressive or endearing theatre play, music, humor, reality, and imagination. In short, the Brabantsedag is a unique experience with culture and entertainment for all ages.
For the parade of 2024 I designed and build a maquette for the float for my group Vk Snoeyen, this years theme was ‘Closer to Brabant’ (Dichterbij Brabant). The theme refers both to Brabant poets and poems and to “the typical Brabant feeling”. Our groups’ design is an interpretation of the poem ‘Sonet van Brabant’ by Harriet Laurey. Using the snail as symbol for always carring their home with them, our float represents how we, Brabanders, feel proud and connet to our roots. Wherever we go, Brabant remains our home.