Cultural Platform Medemblik
The Cultural Platform Medemblik consists of various representatives of organizations in the field of art and culture. The added value of the Culture Platform is the creation of a municipal network, commonality in events, coordination and promotion. In 2019, the Culture Coordinator has been appointed to coordinate the Culture Platform, drive and realize themes in cooperation with the platform and associations in the municipality.
Cultural Platform Members
We would like to introduce the members of the Cultural Platform to you:
Kirsten Dijk
Since July 1, 2023, Kirsten is the new cultural coordinator of the municipality of Medemblik and thus also the chairman of the Cultural Platform Medemblik. In addition to ongoing projects such as the Golden Night and the poet of Medemblik, Kirsten focuses on connecting cultural organizations. In the coming year she will particularly strengthen the connection with cultural associations and see where there can be more cooperation also with the zzp-ers who work in the cultural field, within the municipality of Medemblik.
Joost van Alfen
Joost van Alfen (1962) Secretary of Het Groene Kerkje in Lambertschaag. The church works with volunteers only. Every year the church organizes a number of cultural events or is used as a wedding location to raise money for the maintenance of the beautiful monumental building, the child of concern. Within the board, Joost is the contact person to the cultural platform and deals with the Church’s own cultural programming, among other things. And he does this with great pleasure!
Harry de Bles
Harry de Bles (62) studied history in Leiden and lives in Alkmaar. After thirty top years as director at the Naval Museum, he retired from the military in 2017. Thinking it was too early for the geraniums, he successfully applied for the position of director of the Dutch Steam Engine Museum. For five years, he has been cycling back and forth between Alkmaar and Medemblik three times a week. Along the way, along various routes through Westfriesland, he looks rich. From his passion for, and knowledge of museums, Harry contributes to connecting and making more visible all the beauty that this region has to offer residents and tourists.
Rene van den Broeke
René van den Broeke has been museum director of Museumstoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik since 2012. The museum collects, manages and presents the rich history of the steam train and offers an authentic travel experience to a wide audience.
The love for the steam train was instilled in him at an early age. When he was sixteen he went every Saturday to Hoorn so he could ride on the most beautiful steam train in the Netherlands. During his studies he learned more or less how to manage a (non) profit organization.
It is precisely the multifaceted and social aspect of the museum and cultural entrepreneurship that René finds the best part of his work.
Emma Buis
Emma Buis is the administrator of Radboud Castle. Castle Radboud has been a given in Medemblik for more than 700 years. A building with such a rich history deserves to be managed with love, so the stories don’t get lost. With that love for the castle, Emma is in good shape. Besides telling the stories in the museum, Emma also thinks it’s important that Radboud Castle feels like “home” to everyone in the region. Whether it’s to grab a cup of coffee in the Castle Café, stop by when the falconer is there, or have the castle to yourself with school, you’re welcome. Emma and her staff make it happen so that future generations can also grow up with a castle in their backyard.
Lisa Croes
Lisa Croese works as a programmer at the West Frisian Libraries. After studying Cultural Heritage at the Reinwardt Academy, she worked for several years at the Museum Association, the trade organization of museums. Since 2018, she has been working at the West Frisian Libraries. The library offers the residents of West Friesland close to home access to knowledge and culture in an accessible and affordable form. In addition to our books, magazines and digital collection, we do so in the form of a wide variety of activities with space for meeting and debate. Depending on the topic, we offer a stage to an expert. This can also be a resident of our own congregations. So you can develop personally, expand your skills and further fuel your interests with offerings you find with us or through us.
Marjan Doornbosch
Marjan Doornbosch has been active with the BON theater in Medemblik for many years. Marjan’s job is publicity and arranging reservations and participation in the Culture Platform. With a number of volunteers a performance is organized about 12 times a year. Mostly cabaret but also music and other theater. Since 1994, the BON theater has developed into a dignified theater where both the artist and the audience feel at home. At the end of 2020 there was a renovation in which the auditorium underwent a metamorphosis and, much to its delight, a grandstand was also realized. After the performance, it is possible to have a nice chat in the new City Café while enjoying a drink.Often the artists are also present in the City Café after the performance.
Yvo Verschoor
Film concert pianist Yvo Verschoor built his own small concert hall and piano sound museum in Huis Midwoud. Besides film concerts with antique films, concerts by top international musicians take place there regularly, as well as performances and lectures with a link to history.
René Smit & Gerda Blo
René Smit and Gerda Blom are the founders of Theaterkerk Hemels. In late 2017, they bought the Dutch Reformed Church in Twisk to realize their dream: to occupy a special monumental building while offering space for creativity and connection. This ambition together with their (work) experiences made this versatile place in the heart of Twisk come into being. In the theater church, music, theater, ceremonies, meetings and overnight stays are gathered under one roof. René and Gerda hope that everyone who leaves the church is inspired, surprised, entertained or connected. They program their own music and theater, but the hall can also be rented for their own performances. In this way they create a nice mix of music and theater, known and unknown, local and national, young and old.
Michiel Vlaar
Michiel Vlaar is business manager of social cultural center De Schoof in Wervershoof. Together with a team of mostly volunteers, he realizes the programming. Born and raised in Hauwerter, he feels at home in the municipality of Medemblik. After a career in care, he became café owner. This was a small alternative café in Hoorn, where culture was paramount.
Now he enjoys his job in Wervershoof. When his work is done you will find him at home with his children, on the waterfront, behind a drum kit or in the Ardennes.
Do you have a nice cultural idea? Then don’t hesitate and contact Michiel, he would love to make it come true together.
Jacco Spil
Jacco Spil has been involved in (growing) Bakery Museum and Medemblik for 40 years, sugary and visual artist, art teacher and coordinator. Because Medemblik is still an undiscovered gem and thus has unprecedented growth potential.
Lars Rustenbur
Lars Rustenburg (1995) is General Manager of the War Museum in Medemblik. The War Museum was started in 2014 and opened by the mayor in October 2017. The museum is now run by 80 volunteers, with an average age of around 38. The museum covers a total of 3,000 m2 and has now developed two exhibitions with accompanying educational teaching programs and activities for all ages. We now receive around 100 school classes annually. Furthermore, the War Museum is trying to increase its social involvement by being a recognized training company and by cooperating with Bureau Halt. In collaboration with the Volunteer Point we also want to become a drop-in center for people who are alone and/or lonely and we are working on becoming a Medemblik Film House in its own Cinema-Theater Hall (85 seats).
Manifest
The Cultural Platform Medemblik has drawn up a manifesto and in it they give a number of recommendations to the council members of the municipality of Medemblik, for creating an optimal local cultural climate in Medemblik. A joint task for the municipality, politicians, cultural organizations, active residents and entrepreneurs.
Read the manifest here
Come wander in!
