Tiggelaar - Secularisation

Church towers under demolition

Hamlet Tiggelaar has once again opted for a design by Johan, Marc and Erwin. In 2024 and many years previously they (in differing combinations) had likewise been selected for the design. Whereas last year the float had been ablaze with flames – for which the hamlet was awarded the first place and the challenger trophy – this year the gentlemen are opting for a rather more `restful’ design.

The idea for the float had occurred at an earlier date and acquired its current form after a number of brainstorming sessions. ‘Dechurching’ tells the story of the many abandoned churches which are increasingly under the threat of disappearing from the landscape. Parishes have fewer churchgoers and the basis for maintaining the church buildings is becoming smaller. Concretely for Zundert: in its five villages, four churches have been relinquished by the parish and a new purpose for these buildings is being sought.  And if such a purpose is not found, they are threatened with demolition; when a church tower could in fact be regarded as a distinguishing feature of the village.

The float will have a collection of church towers some of which are being demolished; recognizable towers as well as towers which are not yet on an alternative-purpose-list. ‘Dechurching’ will be constructed on two undercarriages and consist mainly of flowers, without procession or large-scale plans qua the use of alternative materials. The cranes on the float will move and all of it will be supported with a soundtrack.

At the time of writing this text, the designers were still completely in the initial design process. So, it’s possible that the float will acquire a different name, but the trio had not yet reached a decision about this. What they had already decided upon was that the floats will be a challenge for the people attaching the flowers.

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Johan van Trijp (67) and Marc van Beek (60) began designing for both Tiggelaar and De Berk in the 90’s; since 2002 only for hamlet Tiggelaar. Erwin Braspenning (48) began his design career at hamlet Veldstraat in 2007. Via Poteind he ended up at Tiggelaar in 2017. Since 2023 the gentlemen have designed together. Johan (46^th design) is retired, Marc (47^th design) is the owner of clothing retailer ‘Urban Bozz’ and Erwin (14^th design) is a grass specialist.

Original Dutch Text: Jeroen Vriends
Translation: Mary Tyne
Photo: Eefje Damen

Hamlet Tiggelaar
www.buurtschap-tiggelaar.nl

This article is brought to you by Corsief. An independent magazine about corsos in general and the Zundert flower parade in particular. The magazine is produced entirely by volunteers, who are all more or less active in the Zundert flower parade world. Corsief is entirely full-colour and appears four times a year.