Lordships of Sinoutskerke and Baarsdorp

The Lordships of Sinoutskerke and Baarsdorp are centuries-old manorial lordships (administrative and legal units) in South Beveland, province of Zeeland (near Goes and 's-Heer Abtskerke). 

Origin: They originated in the early Middle Ages as separate lordships with their own manorial rights (such as administration, jurisdiction, hunting and fishing rights, tithes, and land rights). 

Baarsdorp is mentioned as early as 1271 and is older; Sinoutskerke follows later. 

They have been connected for about 700 years. 

History: Until the French period (1795/1798), they functioned as a kind of precursor to municipalities, with a lord who exercised authority. 

After the abolition of feudal rights, certain traditions and property rights persisted. 

Current situation: The rights remain in private hands (the Van Huykelom van de Pas family) and are actively managed by the Foundation for the Preservation and Management of the Lordships of Sinoutskerke and Baarsdorp. 

It encompasses over 500 hectares of landscape, farms and cultural heritage. 

In 2023, they were recognized as intangible heritage. 

In short: a living piece of medieval Zeeland in a modern guise, preserving traditions and rights within the characteristic polder landscape.

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Milk Can Shooting in Kampen

Milk can shooting (or carbide shooting) in Kampen is a unique Overijssel tradition around New Year's, in which loud bangs are made using milk cans and carbide. 

How does it work?

Shooters drill a hole in a milk can, fill it with carbide and water, seal the can (often with a weighted lid or cloth), and lay it on its side. 

The shooter sits on top, lights the gas mixture through the hole, and makes the can explode. 

The goal: to make the loudest bang possible. 

History and character: The tradition likely originated in the 1930s in the Brunnepe district (Kampen) among (former) residents of Schokland and subsequently spread throughout the entire municipality. 

It is primarily a social event: groups of friends and families shoot all day New Year's Eve at around 55 fixed locations (often right in the middle of residential areas).

In Brunnepe, shooting is allowed to start as early as after Christmas. 

Kampen distinguishes itself by holding shooting events within the built-up area (unlike many other places in meadows). 

It has been practiced for over 100 years and has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage since 2023. A Shooting Guild ensures safety, rules, and safeguards (prizes, charities, youth activities). 

In short: a banging, sociable, and typically Kampen way to blow out the old year, with an emphasis on safety and community spirit.

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Papermaking in Doesburg

Papermaking (making handmade paper) was a living craft in Doesburg, primarily through Ewald Weijers' Papiermakerij Doesburg (C-paper) on Ooipoortstraat. 

Craft: Pulp is made from old paper or natural fibers (such as flax, plant residues). 

Using a mold & deckle, you create a sheet of paper, press it dry, and hang it to dry. 

Sustainable and creative, often with additions such as flower seeds. 

History in Doesburg: Weijers practiced it as a hobby since 2012, later professionally. 

From 2020, he had a studio in the town center where visitors could create their own paper, attend workshops, and watch demonstrations. 

It was the only active location in Gelderland for this intangible heritage (listed since 2013).

Current situation: The studio closed permanently in December 2025 due to high costs and low income. Weijers still gives workshops at other locations and continues to pass on the craft. 

It is a traditional, educational craft that emphasizes knowledge transfer and sustainability, with parallels in other places such as Rotterdam and Utrecht.

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Slurping the papeda

Papeda is a traditional Moluccan dish: a translucent, jelly-like porridge made from sago flour (or often potato starch in the Netherlands) and water. 

It has traditionally been the staple food of the Moluccas. 

A characteristic feature is the way of eating: you scoop up the porridge with two bamboo forks (gata-gata), swirl it around, and slurp it directly from the plate. 

That slurping is an essential part of the experience and requires some practice. 

It is served with spicy, sour sauces such as tjolo-tjolo, pinang kuning, or asem pedis, often with fish, chicken, or meat. 

Slurping papeda symbolizes togetherness, hospitality, family ties, and Moluccan identity. 

It takes place mainly in the evenings, at celebrations such as weddings and baptisms, and strengthens social bonds. 

In 2022, "slurping the papeda" was officially recognized as intangible cultural heritage in the Netherlands.

In short: a simple, yet culturally significant tradition that connects Moluccans (in Indonesia and the Netherlands). 

Real Moluccans slurp papeda!

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Water Living

Water living is living on the water in the Netherlands, often in a houseboat, floating home, water villa, or sailing houseboat. 

In the Netherlands, approximately 12,000 households live on the water, primarily in and around port cities, waterways, and landscapes. 

It is a unique, traditional form of housing that is part of Dutch intangible heritage. 

Advantages: Peace, freedom, and direct contact with water and nature. 

Often unique views and a flexible lifestyle (some boats are sailing). 

Modern water homes offer full comfort. 

Disadvantages: Scarce moorings (you need a permit). 

Specific regulations, maintenance, and higher (technical/legal) costs. 

Dependent on water level, current, and weather conditions. 

It is popular among people looking for an alternative, adventurous way of living. 

In short: water living combines living comfort with the charm of the water, but it does require good preparation!

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Grand Zwaag Carnival Parade

The Grand Zwaag Carnival Parade is one of the best-known and largest carnival parades in the Netherlands, north of the rivers. 

When: Always on Carnival Sunday (the Sunday before Easter/Lent). 

Characteristics: Large floats, creative walking groups, beautiful costumes, and often satirical or humorous themes. 

Around 40-45 entries participate. 

Scale: Attracts around 45,000 visitors annually from all over the country. 

It is a true folk festival with brass bands along the route. 

Organization: Carnival Association Het Masker Zwaag. 

An awards ceremony follows afterwards (jury and audience prizes). 

It is a spectacle full of color, creativity, and togetherness in West Friesland (Zwaag, municipality of Hoorn). 

Many people call it “the most beautiful parade north of the rivers”.

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Way of Prayer of the Star of the Sea

The Way of Prayer of the Star of the Sea (also known as Our Lady's Way) is a centuries-old Catholic prayer route and procession in the center of Maastricht, in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady, Star of the Sea. 

Origin: The way of prayer originated over five centuries ago (early 16th century) among the Franciscans as a penitential procession with the 15th-century statue of Mary on Easter Monday. 

The route has remained largely unchanged since then (last adjustment in 1804). 

What is it? 

A fixed walking route through the streets of Maastricht, which is walked while praying (especially the rosary). 

The route is marked with gable stones and statues of Mary. 

You can walk it individually, in small groups, or as a procession. 

Large vs. Small Way of Prayer: Large Way of Prayer: Solemn procession in which the (replica) statue of Mary is carried on a stretcher, accompanied by brotherhoods, torches, singing, and prayer. 

Small Way of Prayer: Silent way of prayer without a statue, often undertaken on one's own initiative or in small groups. 

The statue stands in the Merode Chapel of the Basilica of Our Lady. 

The Way of Prayer begins and ends there (at the Candle Chapel).

In 2022, the tradition was recognized as intangible cultural heritage of the Netherlands. 

The Way of Prayer symbolizes popular devotion, penance, and the veneration of Mary, and is still walked regularly, especially around feast days such as October 10.

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Brown Fleet

The Brown Fleet is the collective name for professional charter shipping (passenger shipping) with traditional historical sailing ships in the Netherlands. 

Origin: The ships date mainly from the 19th and early 20th centuries, when they were used for cargo transport (e.g., tjalks, clippers, schooners, and gaff-rigged ships). 

Name: “Brown Fleet” comes from the original brown color of the sails, which were treated with catechu (a dye from acacia wood). 

Current function: Over 400 traditional ships now sail as charter vessels for recreational trips (day trips or multi-day trips) with passengers on the IJsselmeer, Markermeer, Wadden Sea, and sometimes further afield. 

Harlingen has the largest concentration. 

Status: It is living intangible heritage: skippers and crew sail with guests and keep the maritime tradition alive. 

In short: the Brown Fleet is the sailing monument of Dutch sailing history, which you can experience today primarily during a sailing trip.

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Indies Cooking and the Indies Rijsttafel Tradition

Indies cooking refers to the Dutch East Indies cuisine: a fusion of Indonesian, Chinese-Indonesian, and European influences from the time of the Dutch East Indies (the former colony). 

After Indonesia's independence (1945-1949), many Indies-Dutch people brought this cuisine with them to the Netherlands. 

Characteristics include mild to spicy flavors (often adapted to Dutch tastes), the use of spices such as soy sauce, sambal, coconut milk, and spice mixes (bumbu), and dishes such as rendang, satay, gado-gado, nasi goreng, spring rolls, spekkoek, and atjar. 

Indies cooking is often homey, social, and focused on eating together. 

The Indies Rijsttafel Tradition: The rijsttafel (or Indies rijsttafel) is a festive, elaborate meal with rice as the base, where 10 to as many as 40+ different Indonesian side dishes are served simultaneously or sequentially. 

It originated during the colonial period (late 19th century) among the Dutch elite in Indonesia, likely inspired by Indonesian celebratory meals such as selamatan or nasi padang, but developed on a European scale to showcase hospitality and wealth. 

Service by multiple servants was common. 

Typical elements: White rice (sometimes also nasi goreng). 

Meat/fish/vegetables: rendang, satay, sambal goreng, gado-gado, etc. 

Side dishes: kroepoek, atjar, seroendeng, sambals. 

Balance of flavors: sweet-sour, spicy-mild, fatty-dry. 

After repatriation, the rijsttafel came to the Netherlands and became popular at family celebrations, weddings, and restaurants. 

Since 2022, the Indische rijsttafel (along with Indische cuisine) has been included in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Netherlands. 

In short: Indie cooking is the everyday, warm fusion cuisine; The rijsttafel is the festive, lavish expression of it. 

It connects East and West and remains a vibrant tradition in the Netherlands.

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Repair of clinker-built wooden dinghies

Clinker-built wooden dinghies are traditional flat or round Dutch wooden boats in which the hull planks overlap and are attached to oak frames with copper rivets (and rivets). 

This craft has been listed on the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Netherlands since 2022, including at the Boatbuilding Club of youth sailing association De Haven. 

Main repair work: Replacing/bending frames: Steaming and bending older oak frames using hand tools. Repairing or replacing hull planks: Difficult for amateurs. 

Drilling out rivets, removing old plank(s), making a template, planing new battens (often larch or oak) to size, fitting, and re-riveting. 

Replacing an entire plank is specialist work. 

Local repairs: Chipping out rotten spots, epoxy filling, or gluing in new wood (after thorough drying). 

For small cracks, sometimes splining. 

Maintenance: Sanding, caulking seams, varnishing (multiple coats), linseed oil/Stockholm tar, and checking copper fastenings. 

Advantages of clinker construction: Relatively easy to replace a single plank without disrupting the entire hull (compared to carvel construction). 

Disadvantages: Time-consuming, requires a lot of manual work, moisture can seep into seams.

Practical tips: Work with traditional materials for authenticity. 

Knowledge transfer from experienced members to young people is essential (Boatbuilding Club). 

For serious damage: engage a professional shipyard or club; doing it yourself requires a lot of time and tools. 

This craft keeps the dinghies sailing and contributes to self-reliance and cultural heritage.

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