All you have to do is walk into someone’s backyard, grab a beer from the fridge and enjoy live music without anyone doing anything to you. It may seem a bit embarrassing, but hundreds of people in Rosendaal did just that on Sunday. At least 24 city parks have been renamed into open-air mini-theatres. Everyone was allowed to enter.
At Gijs Bullens on Burgerhoutsesstraat, the gate is wide open. There are chips and snacks on the table and a cool box fully stocked with drinks. “If we have the opportunity to have a nice party, we welcome people,” he says enthusiastically.
“I was afraid that only people I knew would come.”
He gave up his garden for the amateur art festival ‘Peeking at the Buren’, which was also held in Roosendaal for the first time this year. Performances are given in various parks by local talent.
Behind a fence a cabaret show is being performed and there is singing a little further away. Anyone who wants to attend can find the program online. This is how neighbors get to know each other better.
“I was afraid that only people I knew would come, but there are also all kinds of unknown people who come in. This is the second group now and they are in full force every time, so it is nice to see that,” says Gijs.
“It’s also nice to be able to look at other gardens, it’s a real peek.”
Annelieke Danen also opened her garden. There’s a young band playing and it’s quite full. “There are 65 people in the park, which is great!” she says. “In this polarized world, you see how music can connect and open up your garden.”
But wouldn’t it be strange to walk in someone else’s garden? “Yes, it takes some getting used to,” says Saskia van Leeuwen as she sits on a bench and watches the show. “But everyone is very friendly and hospitable. So you get used to it quickly.” Her husband Marco adds: “It’s also nice to be able to look into other gardens, it’s really like peeping.”
While on the other side of the neighborhood he was struck roller coaster By Danny Vera Sounds from the speakers, Gijs hands out spare ribs. “They explained to us: You have to act like it’s your birthday. So they can take anything. I even turned on the grill.”
Does he get anything in return? “Nothing is mandatory, everything is allowed. There is a piggy bank where you can throw something away. And if people don’t want to throw anything away, they can enjoy it.
