Ode to Bloemencorso Bollenstreek
The paintings are an ode to the parade, its rich cultural history, the bulb district and the bulb trade. The work has been commissioned by Simon Pennings and his daughter Sylvia of Tulip Experience Amsterdam in Noordwijkerhout, a new tourist attraction which tells the story of the Tulip and the bulb growing area.
During the official opening of Tulip Experience Amsterdam on 17th March, Noordwijk Mayor Wendy Verkleij will reveal the first panel which celebrates the world heritage community that for 75 years has held the largest summer festival in Europe.
Intrinsically linked
The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2022. A tradition started after the war by Hyacinth grower Willem Warmenhoven from Hillegom passed to Tulip grower Simon Pennings from Noordwijerhout who in 9 panels will pay homage to the parade's 75 years and show that the bulb trade and the parade are intrinsically linked with each other.
Simon Balyon started painting his ode to the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek in October 2021. He will highlight the floats moving against an impressionist landscape of the bulb district. Local buildings will arise in their traditional splendour.
The paintings will show the bulbs fields in their full glory
Paying Homage to 75 years Bloemencorso Bollenstreek
Chairman Willem Heemskerk is delighted with this series of panels to celebrate the 75th anniversary ''Now the parade has achieved the status of Immaterial Cultural Heritage we are more aware than ever of our obligation to pass on our traditions and honour our history. With this ode to Bloemencorso Bollenstreek we can welcome more individuals to enjoy the this internationally recognised tradition. This is exactly what a heritage community carries out together. Fantastic."
A sneak preview
In Simon Balyon's studio Sylvia Pennings (Tulip Experience Amsterdam) and Esther den Hertog (Bloemencorso Bollenstreek) have a sneak preview bringing taking them back in time and raising the excitement of what is to come. The first panel can be admired during the opening of the Tulip Experience Amsterdam attraction. The remaining 8 panels will be added to series until it is completed in 2030. They will be on show each year during the bulb tourist season.
Experience.
Artist Simon Balyon
Simon Balyon is no stranger to the Bulb district. In 2009 the painter, who originates from The Hague, painted the 30 meter long, 4 meter high "Panorama with the Blue Tram" which attracted many international visitors to the exhibition at Panorama Tulipland. During this period he studied the Bulb District and is now back with paint and brush to immortalise the towns and villages participating in the parade; an enormous task he looks forward to immensely.
Tulip Experience Amsterdam
Tulip Experience Amsterdam tells the story of the tulip in the Bulb District from the perspective of the grower. It is a unique experience which takes the visitor on a dynamic voyage of discovery through history, the cultivation process and the magic of the tulip. Visitors are welcome to take pictures and selfies amongst the millions of tulips specially planted for the exhibition. Tulip Experience Amsterdam is open to the public from 19th March to 22nd May and is located on the Delfweg 37 in Noordwijkerhout.
Bloemencorso Bollenstreek Flower Parade
Bloemencorso Bollensteek is a non-profit foundation with more than 1500 volunteers which organises annually a colourful parade of floats decorated with spring bulb flowers. In 2022 the parade travels from Noordwijk to Haarlem on Saturday 23rd April. Together with the decoration days, the illuminated parade and the Haarlem flower festival, Bloemencorso Bollenstreek is the largest spring festival in Europe. The event is one of the 5 icons which bring colour to the Dutch identity. Since December 2021 Bloemencorso Bolllenstreek has been added to the list of Dutch Intangible Cultural Heritage and together with its sister parades throughout the Netherlands has been added to the UNESCO register of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
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