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Kingdom Ruigoord
Posted on: 4 December 2012
Well that was a cool place!
I played a gig at Ruigoord Church in Ruigoord, Holland. Ruigoord is situated between Amsterdam and Haarlem and is an Artists’ colony sandwiched between industrial plants. I had no idea what the venue was going to be like or exactly where it was and was utterly surprised. According to Wikipedia the village was formed in 1973 when a group of Artists squatted the land with the intentions of forming a colony. The village is now legal and full moon parties are regularly organised in the church and every year there is a festival in August. Since the early 2000s, the village has staged an annual poetry festival over the Whitsun weekend, Fiery Tongues.
One of the festivals’ three days is always devoted to international poets. From 2003 on, a yearly Ruigoord Trophy has been awarded to individuals who have selflessly dedicated themselves to maintaining the village as an important cultural stronghold.
There is a place opposite the church called The Ruigoord Salon run by an eccentric South African by the name of Michael. He puts on jazz afternoons most Sunday inviting the best from the Dutch jazz scene. I had time after my concert to go and relax in this very pleasant relaxed environment and enjoy the fantastic music of Pere Soto and Walter Lampe.
Overview of Kingdom Ruigoord
The Mural: Artist Gijs Frieling painted the entire interior of the Ruigoordkerk (Ruigoord Church) from floor to rafters (as can be seen in the above photo).
The Collaboration: Frieling created the eclectic ecosystem mural alongside invited artists, assistants, and students from the University of Applied Sciences Leiden. Sculptor Femmy Otten later added reliefs and sculptures to the church’s eight alcoves.
The Meaning: The artwork serves as a tribute to the community, capturing the history, mythology, global collaborations, and counterculture movements tied to the village—such as Provo, the Kabouters (Gnomes), and the Insektensekte (Insect Sect).The Publication:
The project is also documented in an eponymous art book titled Kingdom Ruigoord by Gijs Frieling, which is well worth a read!
I hope to return and play another gig there!