Frisian Reaches Out to Youth: The Municipality of Opsterlân Launches the “Opsterlân Lêst” Reading Project
On Thursday morning, November 5, the “Opsterlân Lêst” project was officially launched at the Koartsweagen Sports Center on the Gordyk. Councilman Bert Koonstra, together with author Tialda Hoogeveen, illustrator Yke Reeder, and children’s book ambassador Linda de Haan, presented the Frisian children’s book “Abe en de Aardichman” to the fifth-grade class at Loevestein School. With this project, the municipality is taking concrete steps to pass on the Frisian language to a new generation of Opsterlanders.
The “Opsterlân Lêst” project is a collaboration between the municipality of Opsterlân and the Southeast Friesland Library (BZOF). As part of this initiative, all children in the municipality who are in grade 5 receive a Frisian children’s book as a special language gift. The book chosen is “Abe and the Aardichman.”
Lance Ring
Following the opening by Councilman Bert Koonstra, author Tialda Hoogeveen and illustrator Yke Reeder read excerpts from the book. *Abe and the Little Man* is about Abe, who has just moved and is looking for new friends. In his backyard, he suddenly encounters a “little man”: an imaginary friend. At the launch, illustrator Yke Reeder drew an aardichman live on stage, after which the children took turns creating their own. Finally, longtime Berneboek ambassador Linda de Haan festively presented the first copy to the children.
Frisian language
For the municipality, promoting its own language is a key priority. Councilman Bert Koonstra explains: “The Frisian language is inextricably linked to the identity of Opsterlân. As a municipality, we consider it very important to ensure that all children in Opsterlân are exposed to Frisian. With a wonderful book like ‘Abe and the Aardichman,’ we’re bringing Frisian into the classroom and the living room in an accessible and, above all, fun way.”
Policy Plan for Mei-inoar Frysk
The “Opsterlân Lêst” project is part of the Opsterlân municipality’s language policy plan, “Mei-inoar Frysk.” Among other things, the project aims to pass on the Frisian language to young people and to promote and strengthen the language. In addition to this annual language gift for fifth-grade students, more projects will be carried out in the coming years within the framework of that Frisian language policy. For example, all elementary schools in the municipality will receive a special Frisian reading box filled with children’s books to continuously encourage a love of reading in Frisian.
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