Houtdorp Rijssen

Houtdorp Rijssen is an annual tradition in Rijssen (Overijssel), organized by the Houtdorp Rijssen Foundation. 

Since 1977, it has offered a fun week-long holiday for children aged 6 to 12 (primary school age), where they build their own huts from pallets and wood in groups. 

The event takes place the week before the summer holidays and attracts at least 300 children annually. Besides carpentry, there are activities such as a mayoral election (where a child mayor guides the real mayor), a viewing evening for parents, an overnight stay in the huts, and sometimes a treasure hunt or lottery. 

It began as part of summer games for children who didn't go on holiday and has grown into a beloved tradition. 

Since 2018, Houtdorp Rijssen has been included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Netherlands Inventory, due to its generational transmission (many volunteers are former participants).

It is supported by volunteers, sponsors, and the municipality, with an emphasis on sustainability (clean wood, waste separation). 

In the past, it ended with the huts burning down, but that doesn't always happen anymore.

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Chubut

Chubut is a province in southern Argentina, in the Patagonia region. 

It borders Río Negro to the north, Santa Cruz to the south, Chile (Andes Mountains) to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. 

Capital: Rawson 

Largest city: Comodoro Rivadavia Area: 

One of the larger provinces, with diverse landscapes: Andes in the west (forests, lakes, national parks such as Los Alerces), steppes in the center, and a coast with beaches and wildlife. 

Known for: Welsh colonization from 1865 onwards:  Welsh immigrants settled in the Chubut Valley (towns such as Gaiman, Trelew, and Trevelin); Welsh is still spoken there, and there are cultural traditions such as teahouses. 

Nature and tourism: Whale watching at Península Valdés (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), penguins, sea lions; skiing in Esquel; Old steam train La Trochita. 

Economy: Oil (around Comodoro Rivadavia), sheep wool, aluminum, fishing, and tourism. 

Chubut combines rugged nature, rich history, and unique cultural influences!

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Building a Midwinter Horn in Gelderland and Overijssel

The midwinter horn is a traditional woodwind instrument from the eastern Netherlands, particularly popular in the Achterhoek region (Gelderland) and Twente region (Overijssel).

The building and blowing of a midwinter horn has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage in the Netherlands since 2013 (blowing) and 2018 (building). 

How do you build a midwinter horn? 

A midwinter horn is handcrafted from a slightly curved birch, alder, or willow trunk. 

The trunk dries for at least six months, is sawn lengthwise, hollowed out, glued together (or traditionally bound), sanded, varnished, and fitted with a mouthpiece (happe) made of elderwood. 

The process takes weeks to months and requires little labor—anyone can learn it. 

Many midwinter horn groups organize annual building courses, often in the fall (September-October), so that the horn is ready for the blowing season (Advent to Epiphany). 

Examples: In the Achterhoek region: Groups in Zelhem, De Heurne, Ulft (OVGG Huttepiepen), Wehl, and Aalten offer courses, sometimes also for young people. 

In Overijssel: Workshops in Dalfsen, Hardenberg, Oldenzaal, and Vriezenveen. 

Organizations: Federation of Gelderland Midwinter Horn Groups (Gelderland) and the Twenthe Midwinter Horn Blowing Foundation (Overijssel). 

These courses are open to beginners, often last 4-10 evenings, and cost around €70 (including materials). After building, you can often learn to blow immediately. 

The tradition lives on through these courses, with an emphasis on passing it on to younger generations.

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Córdoba

The province of Córdoba is located in central Argentina and is the second most populous province in the country, with approximately 3.98 million inhabitants (2022). 

The capital is the city of Córdoba, Argentina's second-largest city (approximately 1.6 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area), known for its colonial heritage, such as the Jesuit Block and Estancias (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000) and the country's oldest university (established in 1613). 

The economy is diverse: strong in industry (cars such as Fiat, Renault, and Mercedes; agricultural machinery), agriculture (grains, soy), food processing, and services. 

Tourism is important thanks to the Sierras de Córdoba (mountains with peaks up to 2,790 m, such as Cerro Champaquí), valleys (Punilla, Calamuchita, and Traslasierra), lakes, rivers, and resorts such as Villa Carlos Paz. 

The landscape varies from flat pampas in the east to mountains in the west, with a temperate climate. Córdoba has a rich history: a colonial center, the cradle of the university reform (1918), and industrial growth after World War II.

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Easter Customs in Denekamp

The Easter customs in Denekamp (Twente, Overijssel) are a centuries-old tradition that has been on the Intangible Heritage List of the Netherlands since 2018. 

They are led by two young men: Judas (the experienced leader) and Iscariot (the newcomer) and revolve around community, song, and symbolism around Easter. 

Key Activities: 

Palm Sunday: Egg Gathering — Young people parade through the village singing, led by Judas and Iscariot, ringing doorbells for eggs and money (singing the song: "Eier, eier, geld is ôk goat!") to cover costs. 

Easter Saturday: Wood Collection — Men use tractors and carts to collect wood from the forest (e.g., Lutterzand) for the Easter bonfire. 

Easter Sunday: Easter Stake Dragging — A procession heads to the Singraven estate to collect a tree (Easter stake). 

The tree is cut down, dragged to the village (hand in hand), erected with a tar barrel on top, sold by auction, and lit in the evening along with the large Easter bonfire (around 8:00 PM). 

These customs attract thousands of visitors, including former Denekampers for reunions, and may combine pagan (fire representing spring/fertility) and Christian elements. 

They are very much alive and unique to Denekamp!

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Corrientes

Corrientes is a province in northeastern Argentina, located in the Mesopotamia region between the Paraná and Uruguay rivers. 

It borders Paraguay, Brazil, and the Argentine provinces of Misiones, Chaco, and Entre Ríos. 

The capital is the city of Corrientes, a river port on the Paraná River. 

The province has a subtropical climate and is known for its extensive wetlands, particularly the Esteros del Iberá (one of the largest wetlands in the world, rich in wildlife such as caimans, capybaras, and birds). Other highlights include ecotourism, fishing (including dorado), the Mburucuyá National Park, and the Yaciretá Dam. Culturally, Corrientes is strongly influenced by Guaraní traditions: Guaraní is an official language along with Spanish. 

It is the birthplace of chamamé music (with accordion) and boasts one of Argentina's largest carnivals, full of color and pageantry. 

The economy revolves around agriculture (tobacco, rice, citrus), livestock, and tourism. 

The province is historically important due to Jesuit missions and its role in the Wars of Independence.

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Straorijden

Straorijden (or straôrijden) is an old Zeeland tradition, unique to the island of Schouwen-Duiveland.

It is an annual farmers' festival in villages such as Burgh-Haamstede, Renesse, Ellemeet, Noordwelle, Scharendijke, and Serooskerke. 

Decorated horses (often Zeeland draft horses) ride in a procession to the beach, where they enter the sea for the first time that year to "wash" their legs and hooves in the salt water. 

This was originally to prevent stiffness, mud fever, and inflammation after a winter in the stables. 

After the ride, there is a celebration in the village, including ring-riding and a festive evening. 

The tradition dates back to at least 1643 and takes place in February/March.

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Entre Ríos

Entre Ríos is a province in northeastern Argentina, located in the Mesopotamia region. 

The name literally means "between rivers" because it is bordered by the Paraná River (west and south) and Uruguay River (east, bordering Uruguay). 

It is also bordered by the provinces of Buenos Aires (south), Santa Fe (west), and Corrientes (north).

Capital: Paraná (on the Paraná River). 

Population: approximately 1.3 million inhabitants (as of 2022). 

The economy is strongly agricultural: key products include rice (60% of national production), soybeans, wheat, corn, citrus fruits, and poultry. 

It is also known for livestock farming. 

Tourism plays a major role: Entre Ríos is known as the "national capital of thermal baths" with numerous hot springs, river beaches, carnival (especially in Gualeguaychú, one of Argentina's largest), sport fishing, national parks (such as El Palmar) and historical sites.

Justo José de Urquiza, an important figure in Argentine history, came from this province.

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Pigeon Racing

Pigeon racing is a popular hobby and competitive sport in which specially bred homing pigeons fly back to their home loft from a distant release site as quickly as possible. 

The winner is the pigeon with the highest average speed (calculated as distance divided by flight time).

Origin: The sport originated in the early 19th century in Belgium (its birthplace in Liège and the surrounding area) and quickly spread to the Netherlands and other countries. 

How it works: Pigeon fanciers train and breed pigeons. 

For races, the pigeons are basketed, transported to a release site (often hundreds of kilometers away), and released simultaneously. 

Upon their return, their time is recorded electronically. 

Distances: From short flights (100 km) to marathon races (1000+ km). 

Popularity: Recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Once incredibly popular (over 50,000 fanciers in the Netherlands in the 1960s), there are now approximately 22,000 active pigeon fanciers, with an aging population but also international growth (including in Asia). 

Excitement: It's all about orientation, training, care, and a bit of luck with the weather and birds of prey.

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Formosa

Formosa is a province in northeastern Argentina, located in the Gran Chaco region. 

The capital is the city of Formosa, situated on the Paraguay River (opposite Paraguay). 

The province borders Paraguay (north and east), Salta (west), and the Chaco (south). 

The landscape consists of forests, savannas, swamps, and jungles, with a high level of biodiversity (including Río Pilcomayo National Park). 

The economy revolves primarily around livestock, cotton, and fruit growing. 

The name "Formosa" comes from the old Spanish word for "beautiful," referring to a bend in the river.

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