Extra performances the Luck of Limburg for 2000 pupils in Parkstad
In November, two additional performances of the successful spectacle musical Het Geluk van Limburg will be organized for high school students in Parkstad. In this way, the partners making this initiative possible hope to contribute to passing on the special story of the Eastern Mining Region to future generations. Moreover, Het Geluk van Limburg offers a unique cultural experience to a large group of young people in our region.
Unique opportunity
School boards and municipalities in Parkstad have joined forces to offer students from 3 vmbo, 4 havo and 5 vwo an unforgettable experience. In November, two additional performances are planned by Toneelgroep Maastricht; Servé Hermans and Huub Stapel, the producers of Het Geluk van Limburg. This will allow more than 2,000 students to attend the performance. As part of this, extra attention will be paid in schools to the region's mining past.
The municipalities in Parkstad and the Heerlen-North National Program are jointly making the initiative financially possible. Jordy Clemens, initiator and Alderman Culture Municipality of Heerlen:
"The Happiness of Limburg is a musical theater that lets young people in Parkstad see and feel where their city and region come from. It makes the mining history and its enormous influence tangible, connects generations and shows the enormous resilience of our community.''
Frans Hendrickx (Toneelgroep Maastricht) and Servé Hermans, producer of Het Geluk van Limburg: "We were often asked: could you also perform this story of the Eastern Mining Region for schoolchildren? Great that it worked out now. One phone call to cast, extras and crew asking if they could play extra performances for schoolchildren was enough: of course we will! Our story is for everyone: for those who have experienced it themselves, for those who know it through (grand)parents and for today's youth. This story should never be lost. We look forward to welcoming a new generation to the Rodahal!"
The Happiness of Limburg
50 years after the mine closure, Toneelgroep Maastricht, Servé Hermans and Huub Stapel present the spectacle musical Het Geluk van Limburg in Parkstad. Het Geluk van Limburg tells the story of the region over three generations (1900-1970) and touches on themes such as pride, oppression, resistance, industrialization, war and social change.
''We think it's incredibly important for the younger generation to know what happened in the region, what their parents and grandparents experienced. The best way to do that is to let them experience it for real. We are therefore pleased that together with the municipalities, National Program Heerlen-Noord, Toneelgroep Maastricht and Servé Hermans we can make this possible.'' Says Marjon Epema (SVOPL) on behalf of the school boards LVO, SVOPL and Yuverta.
Two performances
Especially for schoolchildren from our region, the two additional performances will take place on two Friday afternoons: November 21 and 28. In preparation for the performances, schools will pay attention to the impact of coal mining on our region in all its facets. The Heerlen-North Program supports the initiative because it contributes positively to regional identity and pride.