Venlo, 2025
This photo series documents the Boerenbruiloft as it is celebrated every year on the last day of vastelaovend in Venlo. Colourful, lively, and carried by a strong sense of local pride. A “mock wedding” full of humour and symbolism, passed down through generations and rooted in the community. It is also a deeply family oriented celebration. Parents bring their children in decorated handcarts, and kids roam the crowded city centre as if unsupervised, yet the strong sense of community lets everyone feel at ease. For many, this day feels self-evident. That is precisely why it matters to photograph it as living heritage. The images show more than celebration. They reveal how play and tradition meet, and how community takes shape through gestures, costumes, and music.
In 2025, a selection of this series received a Bronze Award in the ‘Event’ (Non-Professional) category at the ReFocus Color Photography Awards.
Traditionally, on the 11th of November at 11:11 am, carnival season kicks off in all its craziness in Venlo. While the northern provinces of the Netherlands went about their business on this ordinary November Tuesday morning, the south was already caught up in celebration. By 11:11 am, the city hall square in Venlo was packed with people dressed up with an impressive level of dedication and detail. Returning home to the north after this morning felt like the difference between night and day. The result is a series of packed and colourful photographs that show this living tradition as it unfolds.
