Den Heikneuter

What many people may not know is that the statue De Heikneuter is not actually an original. It is a copy of a concrete statue that was made when the carnival society De Heikneuters was founded in the early 1960s. One of the founders of the carnival society, Mr. Arts, was the maker. That concrete, original statue, is no longer there. But at the 33rd anniversary the bronze statue was made. A Heikneuter, a pioneer farmer (with clogs) resting on his shovel. A neat jacket as a symbol of partying. The carnival itself starts for the carnival club De Heikneuters at the statue. On Saturday, the Heikneuter is washed by the prince and gets a red handkerchief around his neck. A rhyme is also read out, often made by the society itself. On Tuesday, the carnival is also concluded by the statue. The handkerchief is removed and the Prince has now composed his own rhyme. A beautiful tradition. The image of the Heikneuter is used by the carnival society in many places. The symbol can be found on the suits, stationery and also on the medals that are awarded during the carnival period. Although the original statue is no longer there, there is still a concrete Heikneuter. A copy, but one that weighs a ton. It is placed in the prince's garden. But often it is quickly abducted again.