In recent years, various parties in the city have worked intensively to ensure a smooth carnival. The Oeteldonksche Club of 1882 and the municipality have constructively collaborated with many hospitality businesses. Year after year, they reviewed how safety and livability for everyone in the city center could go hand in hand with celebrating carnival and the large numbers of visitors. Carnival events are of good quality and fit well with the spirit of carnival, but the total number of visitors attending the events creates an increasingly difficult situation to manage.

It calls for a rebalancing of interests. Additionally, the Oeteldonksche Club of 1882 and the municipality see that the traditions of the Oeteldonk carnival are fading. Both parties have engaged in discussions to explore how to shape the carnival of the future so that it remains a beautiful and enjoyable celebration for everyone.

Involvement of the city center

Recently, together with the Oeteldonksche Club of 1882, conversations have been held with residents and entrepreneurs of the city center, hospitality, clubs, and visitors to develop a vision and approach for the future of carnival. This was done, among other things, in the Advisory Group Future Carnival.

From these discussions, a movement emerged to create a recognizable, dignified, and livable carnival. Strengthening what makes Oeteldonk unique: the play, equality, solidarity, and a city center where everyone can feel at home within the Oeteldonk traditions. The idea that the Oeteldonk carnival is the leading carnival in the city center and city districts is embraced by everyone.

More visible Oeteldonk

The story and traditions of the Oeteldonk carnival will be made more visible in the coming years by the Oeteldonksche Club of 1882. This will happen during and around carnival, for example, with an arrangement of the Market encouraging street carnival.

Hospitality as an important partner

Oeteldonk would not be the same without the important role hospitality plays in the carnival experience. The Oeteldonksche Club of 1882 and the municipality also see that they have a warm heart for Oeteldonk, which will be further strengthened in the coming years, with more emphasis on Oeteldonk music, decoration, and the use of public space.

Intentions for the future

To keep the organization of the folk festival manageable, the Oeteldonksche Club of 1882 and the municipality want to make agreements about what the carnival days are. This means that 11-11 should become an official carnival day and there will also be a clear starting moment for the carnival, alongside the clear ending moment that already exists on Tuesday evening.

Follow-up

Together with the Oeteldonksche Club of 1882, we will continue discussions with all involved parties about the intentions. Hospitality remains a full partner for both parties to collaborate with and make good agreements that everyone can adhere to. The intentions require a long-term approach from multiple parties that must be strongly implemented.

Jack Mikkers, mayor of the municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch: “Carnival is a celebration for everyone. Equality is central. Oeteldonk is an example of how we want to live together in our society in a spirit of solidarity. The carnival now asks us to bring balance for the future, especially for society. The city center must be livable and safe for everyone, so that everyone can enjoy a pleasant carnival, now and in the future.”

Jeroen Dona, Prime Minister of the Oeteldonksche Club of 1882: “We are pleased that the municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch and the Oeteldonksche Club of 1882 share the same vision about the future of Carnival, in which the Oeteldonk story, our rich traditions, and our unique way of celebrating form the basis of the carnival in ’s-Hertogenbosch. Hospitality plays an indispensable role in this. We look forward to working together with them and other stakeholders to further develop a carnival celebration that clearly shows what we celebrate, why we do it, and how we want to experience it together. An Oeteldonk for everyone with an Oeteldonk heart.”