Trotse Kameraden: Harm the Collector
We are currently rehearsing hard for the performance of Trotse Kameraden - De kunst van gelukkig ouder worden op zondag 7 juli in the Parktheater.
Some participants of Trotse Kameraden are past stars who want to shine on theatre one more time, others are making theater for the first time. During the performance, the participants share their life stories, experiences and wise life lessons. One of those Trotse Kameraden is Harm. He fulfills the role of Collector.
"All my life I've past event collecting stories. And if you do that actively, you will find them, is my experience. You find those stories in the people you meet and in the things you do. It's not automatically that, the more meetings and doing things, the more stories. But a little variety in your life, did help and shape me.
While studying at the Agricultural College in Wageningen, basketball was kind of my thing. I practiced the sport, even to an international level, and I wrote about it as a sports reporter in the Veluwepost. After my studies I started working as a family sociologist in the agricultural sector. It was the time of land consolidation and mechanization. A difficult time for many farmers and farm women and their children. And they shared that with me. Stories that matter. Stories that you carry with you for the rest of your life. Not as a burden, but as a collection of valuable memories that make me who I am today. And I share them with others. Or is it exchange? Because I usually get something in return.
The Trotse Trotse kameraden take you from grand gestures to a tingle in your finger and glint in your eye.
Stood in front of the class in Rotterdam, worked for the municipality of Tiel, did studies, was unemployed, practiced the coaching profession and worked the last 15 years in Zuid-Holland in the disability sector. Those last years were the best of my working life. People with intellectual disabilities are sincere and honest. And so they demand the same from me. Not that I wasn't already or didn't want to be, but lifestyles and life lessons are put to the test there every day. People who then sometimes come across as aggressive are really saying nothing but; 'I'm having a hard time. So stay with me. And my answer is: 'Áf you are okay, we will continue together. Whatever happens. Unconditional. That way of looking at another person is necessary to move forward together. You only have to (be able to) turn your horizon a quarter turn.
What my Trotse Kameraden and I do on theatre is actually not much different. Because if you want to get the real story, you will have to turn that quarter turn. And if you find that difficult - or a bit uncomfortable - we'll help you with that. We are not afraid to do so. And if you accept our help - unconditionally - then you won't be looking at a bunch of old people, but you will discover wonderful heartfelt stories. Exciting and unadulterated. Aged and relatable. Your story, too."
Are you coming to the performance of Trotse Trotse Kameraden?
What is Trotse Kameraden?
Trotse kameraden is an inclusive company and refers to pride and camaraderie. Pride because it encourages you to bring out the best in yourself and present this to the audience. Comradeship because you create a theatrical performance together. The participants of Trotse Kameraden show that everyone can play theater, that there is still so much to experience and that you are never too old to learn.
Trotse Kameraden is a collaboration of Vitalis, Carte Blanche, CKE and Parktheater Eindhoven to make art and culture in elderly care more sustainable. Vitalis already has 9 years of experience with the theater project Trotse Kameraden.
