The Inventory Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in the Netherlands contains ICH of which the communities, groups or individuals involved have written a safeguarding plan. Those plans are reviewed by an independent review committee. Every three years an evaluation of the safeguarding takes place.

Description

In fact, the Pentecost Fair already starts on Easter Sunday, when the annual meeting of the Jonkheid (unmarried men of the village) takes place. The following period is completely dominated by the preparations for the Pentecost Fair. The Pentecost Fair starts on Whit Saturday. In the morning at six o'clock the lowering and clearing of the old St. Gerlach pine, which was sold at auction on Ascension Day, is started. Then the logging crew leaves for the forest to cut a new pine (about 30m tall), the pine is blessed by the priest before it is cut through the intercession of St. Gerlach. In the village about thirty horses are polished and decorated and finally placed in a long line in front of the pine cart (an old harvest cart). Then the procession leaves for the forest and finally comes back to the church in the evening where the new St. Gerlach pine is handed over to the married men of the village who put the pine up next to the church. Whit Sunday is marked by the Blessed Sacrament Procession in which all kinds of church possessions are carried along, such as banners, statues, and relics. During Whit Monday, before and after the Holy Mass, the ‘Jonkheid’ sells pins and after lunch there is a festive afternoon, filled by various artists in cooperation with the local catering industry. Whit Tuesday is started with a Holy Mass, followed by activities around the St. Gerlach pine. The day ends with a tour of the village by the local music association, Jonkheid and other villagers, after which the Pentecost Fair is closed with a good glass of beer!

Community

The board of the Jonkheid organises all activities at the cultural heritage Pentecost Fair.

The St. Gerlach pine is annually fetched by the members and the board of the Jonkheid. The placing of this pine is done by the married men of the village.

In the procession (Broonk), besides the Jonkheid, almost all other associations of the community participate, as well as many other villagers and children. Because many activities are closely linked to the Catholic Church, the pastor of the St. Gerlach parish also plays an important role.

The municipality is represented by Mayor Dieudonné Akkermans, who is present every year when the new St. Gerlach pine is cut down. In addition, the mayor, together with the town council, periodically participates in the procession (Broonk).

Finally, the Forestry Commission is also involved in the heritage because they make the pine available annually, for a small fee.

History

After Banholt had built its own church and it had been granted the status of rectorate, it was decided in 1881 to collect a St. Gerlach pine. Before 1881 May pines had also been collected in Banholt but the date of origin is unknown. After they had built their own church, they also started to have their own fairs. Because they had bought a Gerlach bell and a Gerlach statue in Houthem for their own church, they had a predilection for Saint Gerlach. Therefore, a fair was introduced on January 5, the anniversary of St. Gerlach's death. People also started worshipping the saint at Whitsun. From then on people went to get a pine tree every year on the Saturday before Pentecost to ask St. Gerlach for protection.

By collecting the St. Gerlach pine the inhabitants of Banholt and Terhorst ask St. Gerlach for protection of the cattle, the field, and the crops in Banholt.

Today it is a 'feast' for the whole village and people from the wide area come and watch the 'spectacle'.

When in 1937 the St. Gerlach Church was officially recognized as an independent parish, they decided to organise their own procession. The Banholt people were so proud of their own, independently built church, that they wanted to have as much as possible their own 'activities'. They decided to go through the streets every year on Whit Sunday with a procession, in this region also called the ‘Broonk’, to honour the Blessed Sacrament and to show it to the people.

Over the years, more and more people have taken part in this, including associations such as choirs, the brass band and the Jonkheid.

Safeguarding

Safeguard actions

2021-2024

  • The community is going to post more frequently about how important it is to keep the support going.
  • The annual flyer will include a story about the history of this heritage.
  • Once a year, elementary schools are approached to explain the heritage in each class.
  • Consultations will be planned with other Jonkheids in the area to act together in the field of laws and regulations.
  • Continuing consultations with other associations within the village among other things about the participation in the Sacrament Procession. In addition, to discuss any difficulties that might be encountered by the groups in question and to discuss how these problems can be resolved.
  • Every year the local catering industry is consulted about the form and the elements of the Pentecost Fair.
  • The Forestry Commission will be actively approached to explain the heritage and an attempt will be made to gain their understanding and support.

Contact

Jonkheid Banholt
Pastoor Engelenstraat 6
6262 PC
Banholt
Website