Deurne Celebrates Centennial with Community Tree and New Council Members
Deurne marked its 100th anniversary with a hazel tree gift from the local choir, symbolizing community spirit. Meanwhile, newly elected council members face the task of shaping the municipality’s future over the next four years, impacting residents’ daily lives and local governance.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Unveiling of a hazel tree in Tuinpad Park |
| Gifted by | Deurne Mixed Choir |
| Occasion | 100th anniversary of the choir and Deurne municipality |
| Location | Tuinpad Park, Deurne |
| Election | Municipal elections held on March 18, 2026 |
| New Council Members | 23 residents elected to govern for the next four years |
| Notable Books Mentioned | Staan en Opvallen by Julia Wouters, The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith |
The municipality of Deurne plays a central role in local governance, organizing community events and overseeing municipal elections. It collaborates with cultural organizations like the Deurne Mixed Choir to foster community engagement and celebrate milestones.
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Read the full translated article below
March Comes in Like a Lion
"We’ve had a few lovely warm days, but when I look outside now, the carefully hung laundry is soaked again by the rain. Not so last Sunday afternoon. Then it was sunny, though cold, during the unveiling of the hazel tree in Tuinpad Park. This tree is a gift from the Deurne Mixed Choir, which, like the municipality of Deurne, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. A gift to the community—and where better to place it than in the park that symbolizes connection? Incidentally, the choir wasn’t always mixed; for its first 20 years, only men were allowed to sing. Fortunately, that’s no longer the case. From this vantage point, I’d like to thank the choir once again for a wonderful day and a beautiful tree!
Singing in a choir is like a team sport. You need to be well attuned to one another and listen carefully. It’s also important to follow the ‘coach’s’—the conductor’s—instructions to create a harmonious whole. What’s more, singing is a lot of fun, especially when done together with others. I enjoy singing myself and occasionally take singing lessons; I find it a wonderful way to unwind.
Another thing I love is reading. And this week is the Dutch Book Week! By reading, I don’t mean stacks of documents, but a good or inspiring book. A friend gave me the book *Staan en Opvallen* by Julia Wouters. Julia is one of the spin doctors in the podcast about The Hague politics. It’s an inspiring book about how women (and men) can assert themselves as equals while staying true to themselves. I’m also reading a thrilling book, *The Hallmarked Man* (*De Gemerkte Man*) by Robert Galbraith—J.K. Rowling’s pseudonym. Though she sometimes has unconventional ideas, she writes engaging books!
Perhaps most importantly this week: yesterday’s municipal elections. As I write this column, they haven’t taken place yet; by the time you read it, they will have. I’m especially curious about the results. Which 23 residents will represent you in the Deurne municipal council? They have a unique and important task ahead: working with a new board to govern the municipality for the next four years. As a municipality, we’re in the midst of development, so the work of the council and board truly matters. I’m looking forward to collaborating with this new ‘team.’ And there’s a connection to team sports here too. Governance is top-level sport, so I wish all the new council members optimism, energy, wisdom, and above all, a lot of fun in this new chapter!
Greet Buter