King's Day in Doetinchem: Performances by Normaal, Suzan & Freek; Mayor on moped
Doetinchem has announced the program and route for the national King’s Day celebrations this year. Among other things, King Willem-Alexander and his family will celebrate his birthday with performances by Suzan & Freek and the band Normaal. Mayor Mark Boumans presented the plans after riding into the hall on an electric moped.
The city wants to show its traditions and how they fit into the new era. That’s why the royal bus will be accompanied by authentic and electric mopeds.
The Achterhoek band Normaal, known for their hit Oerend Hard, will receive the Royal family. “It may be in conflict with my political views, but I am pro-monarchy,” frontman Bennie Jolink told Omroep Gelderland. “The kingdoms in Europe are the most progressive countries. High level of education, economically well developed. That can hardly be a coincidence now.” He wouldn’t say what song the band would be performing.
Along the route, the Royals will be presented with presentations of arts, cultures, food, and performances from within the region. The municipality received hundreds of initiatives with plans for these, Boumans said. “It is great to see that involvement. That is also what King’s Day is about for me: connection and society.”
The route ends at the festival site at the historic Walmolen, where duo Suzan & Freek will perform their song De Overkant, a tribute to the Achterhoek, accompanied by the Gelders Orkest Phion. “We can’t wait to play at a place that feels like coming home to us,” the duo said.
King’s Day is being celebrated on Saturday, April 26, this year, instead of on the King’s actual birthday on the 27th. The holiday falls on a Sunday this year, and it was decided to move the celebration so that the Sunday rest can still be observed.
Doetinchem expects 25,000 to 30,000 visitors on the day and has earmarked 3 million euros for the party.
