Dutch Living Heritage

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Photo: Wilna Boink. By: Nonja Remijn.

On Sunday June 3th last, with the slogan ‘Enjoy Today the Animals of the Past’, the third National Day of the Living Heritage was held at Arnhem, a Dutch town close to the border with Germany, where many traditional farm animals from the past where on show. Various breeds showed their capabilities in the main ring. Both the Groningen and the Gelderland horses– although originally bred to be a stylish carriage horse versatile enough to work on the farm - showed how good they are in dressage. Dutch Draught Horses made round-trips over the terrain with a covered wagon and created a true ‘flying carpet’ for the children; an unforgettable experience. The Wetterhoun (Frisian Water Dog) demonstrated its hunting capabilities and the Markiesje (dog) proved to be excellent as a working- breed. In the meantime the Brandroden (cows) and MRIJs (cows) were presented in the main ring. At the ZeldzaamLEKKER (ExtraordinaryTASTY) Square, there was much to delight adults and children, alike. There were many items produced from rare Dutch breeds to be sampled and purchased; while the chef showed how, in the old days, food was cooked in big pots. The producers of ExtraordinaryTASTY products served their speciality items, such as geese-ham, sheep-sausage and cheese of Deep Red Cow, Blaarkop Cow and East Friesian milk sheep. Of course, burgers and common sausages were not lacking - made of the beef from Dutch Belted Cows, Blaarkop Cows or Deep Red Cows. Children could learn about the special ingredients of home-made Dutch pancakes, or have their faces painted like a Blaarkop cow. They could also paint small wooden cows, meet a rare chicken or pigeon and cuddle a goat. In short, it was a market place where traditional produce of the farm and of farm animals were the centre of attention. At the various squares about 70 rare animal breeds could be admired. These breeds ended the day together in forming a large parade and, in spite of the typical Dutch weather, the breeds appeared to mind the climate less than the average visitor. Nevertheless, more than 4000 visitors, who were not discouraged by the rainy weather, attended this event; making the third National Day of Living Heritage a memorable day!

Left: Bart Oude Voshaar and his silver partridge Drenthe cockerel. Photo: Wilna Boink.

Above: Ronnie Vos and his newest creation: Hengelo Bantam.

Right: Hannah Hoornstra with her silver partridge Twente bantam (Kraienkoppe)

Photos: Theo Janssen.

Above, left: Jaap Compas with a buff partridge Twente cockerel. The person on the right of this photo is Gerrit Simmelink, holding one of his silver double laced Barnevelder cockerels. Photo: Theo Janssen.

Left: Also the specialty club of Drenthe Fowl was present. The man with the bright smile is Ewald Oude Voshaar. In the pen are a laced partridge rumples cockerel and pullet. Photo: Theo Janssen.

Right: Brabanter, Breda Fowl and Dutch Owlbeard, with Piet Kroon as their promoter; in spite of the rainy weather. Anyway, he was dress for it. Photo: Theo Janssen.

Above: Parade of the Breeds’ Group of fowls. Photo: Wilma Taks. All following photos are taken by Wilma Taks.

Above: Parade of breeds, poultry, dogs, sheep and goats. Below: Parade of dog breeds, left to right: Drentsche Patrijshond, Saarloos Wolfdog, Dutch Smoushond, Schapendoes (Dutch Sheepdog) and Dutch Shepherd Dog, longhair.

Above: Parade of breeds; Zwartbles Sheep and Drente Heath Sheep, Deep Red cows, Dutch Belted cows, and MRIJ Cows.

Left: All Dutch waterfowl breeds were present!

Left, below: Also Dutch pigeon breeds were present at this Day.

Right, below: Back from the past: Old Dutch Turbits, by Willem Wesseling.

Above: Children play tug and war with the Dutch Draught Horses. The horses win!

Left: Synchronized riding Groningen Horses.

Below: Performing Gelderland Horse.

Left: Meuse-Rhine-Yssel (MRIJ), cow and calf.

Below and left below: Kuijpers Family from Sambeek with their Deep Red Cows.

Left below: Dutch landrace goats.

Right below: Zwartbles Sheep and Drente Heath Sheep.

Left: The Bentheim Pig has Extraordinary TASTY meat. Below: Chaam Fowl is a top product, in the culinary world known as ‘Chaam Pel’.

Below: Burgers from the beef of Dutch Belted cows: honest meat that tastes delicious.

Below: You must try these sausages and salami of Dutch Belted cows’ meat.

Left below: Cheese from the milk of the Blaarkop Cow is not special, but very delicious.

The ZeldzaamLEKKER (ExtraordinarelyTASTY) logo stands for quality and authenticity of all rare Dutch breeds’ products.

Left: The Dutch pig looks curiously at the photographer.

Below: The Kooiker Dogs are charming and friendly.

Below: Children on the ‘flying carpet’ behind the draught horses: an unforgettable experience!

Note: The National Day of the Living Heritage is initiated by the Dutch Foundation of Rare Farm Animal Breeds (SZH) – a foundation dedicated to preserving agricultural variety of “heritage” or “heirloom” animal breeds.

More photos on http://verenigingen.szh.nl/StichtingZeldzameHuisdierrassen/Fotoalbums