Adri de Boer first municipal poet of Opsterland

Adri de Boer (1956) from Lippenhuizen has been chosen by the jury as our very first municipal poet. For the next two years he will write poems for Opsterland. The announcement took place in the Tropical Greenhouse in Beetsterzwaag during the Museum Night.

Six residents submitted a poem

A total of six residents submitted a poem. They came from:

  • Beetsterzwaag (Josina van den Berg - Van der Kooi)
  • Gorredijk (Ivar de Jonge and Gerard Rooker)
  • Langezwaag (Froukje de Haan)
  • Lippenhuizen (Adri de Boer)
  • Terwispel (Anna Maria de Jong)

Most of the candidates attended the festive announcement in the Tropical Greenhouse. The greenhouse was beautifully lit especially for Museum Night. Alderman Libbe de Vries, who was also on the jury, announced the winner. Adri de Boer was presented with Opsterland's special silver poet's pen.

The jury chose Adri de Boer for his strong ties to Opsterland

The jury consisted of Froukje Hoekstra (cultural coach), Dieuwertje van der Wal (Dutch teacher) and Alderman Libbe de Vries. Alderman De Vries: "It was not an easy task for the jury to choose, because each poem brought something unique in its own way. Poetry has the ability to make people reflect on what really matters. In short, the municipal poet is more than a poet; it is a voice that helps us reflect on who we are, where we have come from and where we are going. Adri de Boer's poem captures the essence of Opsterland; from nature and culture to politics and it libbensfjoer. It gedicht fielt as thús."

Adri de Boer is known as the "Fryske Trûbadoer

Adri de Boer has been an active musician for a long time. At 14, he started making music. In 2015, he started focusing entirely on music, after working in Health for 42 years. He writes his own lyrics and translates songs from English and Swedish into Frisian and Dutch.

The municipal poet writes six poems a year

Adri de Boer was appointed for two years. He writes six poems each year. These are about current events and cultural activities in the municipality. He also recites his poems during events, such as Liberation Day.

Municipal poet recites his winning poem on Sept. 30

On Monday, September 30, Adri de Boer will recite his winning poem during the town council meeting in Beetsterzwaag town hall.

The entries

Press the plus sign next to the submitter's name to view the poems.

Winner: Adri de Boer (Lippenhuizen)

Jury Verdict

This poem captures the essence of Opsterland; from nature and culture to politics and it libbensfjoer. It gedicht fielt as thús.

The poem

Opsterlân myn Opsterlân                  

Yn ús bysûnder Opsterlân

út Upsateraland ûntstien,

wenje wy hjir op it sân

om ús hinne folop grien.

-

't Âld Djip, the pearske heather

it lânskip hjir fan komsa

the Fryske Wiken hjir rûnom

Ropt oan elk in " Wêz wolkom" ta.

-

the Fyts - and kuier trails 

Dwêrs troch de natoer

troch feëryk útsicht oerladen

bringt heel wat aventoer 

-

Opsterlân fol feanlân

o sa characteristyk

Opsterlân may polderlân

Yn alles...... yn alles bist unyk

-

peace and romte neist innoar           

lykas muzyk, teniel

we get a lot for each other

it brûst hjir fan kultuer 

-

wurkje oan the mienskip sin   

troch en foar elkenien

gjin utopia, no wier, it kin

on nei meiinnoar ien

-

Poetry and polity

one and one just altyd two                             

both binne autintyk

komme no nei elkoar ta                            

-

Opsterlân fol feanlân

o sa characteristyk

Opsterlân may polderlân

Yn alles.... Ja yn alles bist unyk

-

the memmetal der skriuw ik yn             

long since myn grutte driuw                                          

sjong ferskes oer wat ik fyn      

bliuw sa ticht by myn gefoel                   

-

Bin net pur sang in poet 

Mar mear in trûbadoer 

bring minsken graach wat tichter

by it libbensfjoer

-

no this wie myn ferhaal                                              

oer myn foardracht hunger                                     

yn the own wâldske language                                         

graach wurdt ik jo gemeentlike sjonger

-

Opsterlân fol feanlân

o sa characteristyk

Opsterlân may polderlân

Yn alles.... Ja yn alles bist unyk

-

Opsterlân fol feanlân

o sa characteristyk

Opsterlân may polderlân

't fielt hjir altyd, yes altyd

Altyd as smoarend' ryk

Josien van den Berg-van der Kooi (Beetsterzwaag)

Jury Verdict

The judges were impressed by the rhythm and rhyme. The poem poetically tells the story of Opsterland's history.

The poem

It Alddjip

Ieuwen lang al is hjir wetter

The ´Opsterlanner´ wit net better

Mar as ik no fyts or rin

every time I'm here

rekket it my yn my courage

I fiel the skiednis yn my blood

-

Eartiids koest net rinne

over the sompe hinne

Men moast farre

And so it could barre

That - wêr't it heger wie -

the minske wenjen gie

-

Nobility nâm the power oer fean and lân

and boude hûzen on it sân

Túnen as in park sa grut

let sjen what Jonkhear or Baron betsjut

Monuminten liet men nei

hast in kilometer on in row

-

Turf bringt feanbaas grutte wolfeart

oant de arbeider him der tsjin keart

The wramers and the wrotters yn it fean

hawwe barely iten and gjin klean

It Soshalism is in fact

that ék yn Opsterlâns ferline leit

-

As I no fyts or rin

but every time I am here

tink I - yn hjerst or wintertoai -

how wonderful it is here

Rêst and romte, wêr is that yet....

No hjirre anyway!

-

As I no fyts or rin

but every time I am here

gean myn tinzen oer

How ryk ik bin mei sa'n natoer

And then it erfguod der nog nog:

Hoedzje and noedzje moatte wy!

Froukje de Haan (Langezwaag)

Jury Verdict

Short but sweet: a contemporary, modern and optimistic poem.

The poem

Opsterland is a municipality as everyone wants it to be, 

Something is always happening, never standing still. 

-

Nature, culture, sports, something for everyone,

Just show it, they already know the skills. 

-

Opsterland is the municipality where you want to be,

Believe me, this is where everyone feels comfortable.  

Ivar de Jonge (Gorredijk)

Jury Verdict

The judges were touched by the emotions this poem evoked. Especially the last are stuck as a meaningful conclusion: "I am where, where I can be, there where I am.

The poem

Opsterlân: where I am 

What I find, I say 

What I want, I try 

What I don't understand, I discuss 

What I admire, I embrace

-

Where I dream, I grow

Where I think, I appreciate

Where I cry, I feel

Where I laugh, I am

-

Whoever needs it, I help

Those who are helpful, I thank

Whoever comes into my path, I greet

Whoever is cold I warm

-

I am where, where can I be

There where I am

Anna Maria de Jong (Terwispel)

Jury Verdict

With words, this poem paints a magnificent picture of Opsterland; reading it, you see the landscape looming before you, as it were.

The poem

My piece of Opsterland

Take a look

To the golden glow

That many evenings 

On the horizon the fresh green meets

-

See also the busy farmers

Many drive off and on

For it is dry for a while

They can mow go

-

And shush, the stately swans

They are watching me

Protect their beloved offspring

But they recognize and get used

Like the beautiful deer, wild ducks and rushing hares

-

At night the rustling of young hedgehogs

Waking up every morning

With the light song of free birds

-

Countless insects visit in summer

Bees, hornets, wasps, mosquitoes, flies

Ladybugs, butterflies

They shine and sting

-

The golden combination

Of unspoiled nature next to my door

And for my work, the A7 nearby

Makes me free in every way here

-

I begrudge it to everyone

Frisian, Dutchman, Medelander

With love I share

My Opsterlander Happiness

Gerard Rooker (Gorredijk)

Jury Verdict

A powerful poem in telegram style. You can hear it being recited as it were while reading.

The poem

The Ivy Optimist

tsjuster, 

the hoanna crows,

lampe stitching

kearsen on,

moanne healwei

scholarship leech,

gas ôfsluten

baljuchter by the doar, 

frou fuort

skied thing coming up,

hûn yn waarmte 

ropsek in 'e bealch

droeche bôle in 'e trôge,

toarstich

dea beer yn myn glês,

pub close.... 

what tjinslagen diz deze dei

hawar,

moarn begjin ik mar wer op nei

Seine harje

spit in 'e grûn

sek ûnder de kont

glasses on 'e noas

swaaibeam in 'e nekke

it yzer narje

on it skerpst fan 'e cut

gers in trienen

blommen de eagen ticht

Lûden nen byldzjen

The doar nei the wrâld stiet iepen

What I hear and what I see

I understand der gjin lightning fan