PARTICIPANTS, CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS AND ENTREPRENEURS SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE SUCCESSION
“We are proud of what we have achieved together! Participating cultural organizations and commercial enterprises unanimously agreed. Borns Textiel Collectief demonstrated that textiles are in Borne’s DNA with the Red Thread project as part of the Textiel Festival Twente. “We are able to find each other. And we will continue,” say Liesbeth Hassink, director of the Bussemakerhuis, Corine Hofstra, tourism manager, and Laura Reymer, program manager of the Kulturhus, the initiators of the project.
We keep going!
The positive energy and mutual stimulation that could be felt among all participants was inspiring. Fairtrade Borne and Kringloop Borne have shown that cooperation is possible. “We have found each other,” said Dinie Menheere, coordinator of Fairtrade, and Marjan Boxem, board member of Kringloop. “We are a small community, there are short distances and the goodwill factor is high.” This led to a focus on fair textiles, sustainability and reuse of materials. They want to continue to structurally challenge ROC students to appreciate textiles and give clothing a second life in creative ways. Interest in and awareness of textiles is growing tremendously around the world. Climate change, environmental awareness, sustainability, valorization of textiles are leading to a different way of looking at textiles.
The participants of the community art project Borne Bloeit are looking forward to a new theme. It tastes like more. The artist group Het Koetshuis will realize a new project in the future. Many people have come to know and appreciate Het Koetshuis for its changing exhibitions. With a focus on textiles as a material for an artistic expression. The Oud Borne management group will continue the successful textile walk. It provides an insight into Borne’s past. A route along textile highlights of Borne with interesting stories. André Muller, coordinator: “It is a valuable addition to our offer”.
“The Borne art group has shown who they are with three textile lectures,” says Wilma Witteman, chairwoman. One of the lectures leads into a vintage fashion show on April 8 at Kulturhus. Afterwards, an exhibition Fashion Image 1930-1950 will be on display at the Bussemakerhuis.
The Born Synagogue cultural platform is still trying to present an outdated lecture. The flexibility and constant reprogramming show how much resilience there is in the Born community. The entire event was largely run by a large group of enthusiastic volunteers. From mannequins for the Kringloop fashion show to hostesses at the Bussemakerhuis, “When visitors and spectators appreciate an activity, there’s a buzz. That can’t be expressed in gold.”
Laura Reymer looks back on the Spaghetti Tears and the Battle of Borne performance with satisfaction. Kulturhus was first and foremost a facilitator and programmer. “It has brought a lot to the people of Borne: the renewal of ‘community programming.’ The village can do a lot, a lot is possible. The municipal grant and contributions from various funds have worked. They believed in the project. It was a rowing with the oars available. The event was marred by the barriers and security. Several activities for children were canceled. But in the spring, the children will be surprised again with all kinds of activities.
Annemarie Haak, president of the Local History Society, believes the benefit is the attention to history. The association has given attention to textile history with photos and explanations on panels. A special edition of Boorn & Boerschop devoted to textiles sold like hot cakes. “By working with others, you are forced to look beyond your own borders.” In the future, Spanjaard’s former employees could be given a bigger spotlight.
Entrepreneurs
In addition to the recycling company, several entrepreneurs were involved in the initiative. Rum liqueur and chocolates were made especially for the Red Thread. This was in great demand. Clothing stores made their shop windows available for the boards of the Heemkundevereniging. Josje Esseveld started a Spanjaards family and set up a mobile knitting café in front of her store. The entrepreneur has even more plans for the future. She wants to set up a creative textile workshop for different target groups. Among other things, she wants to introduce elementary school students to various craft techniques. But she also wants to offer a handicraft meeting place for people who want to socialize. In the spring, shoppers can enjoy small textile theaters.
Hofstra points out that we have a combination of a textile past and an extensive retail offering for fashion. Entrepreneurs could take more advantage of this. The Borns Textiel Collectief investment should receive a spin-off.
Ticket to the future
Liesbeth Hassink has been involved in the development of the region from the beginning. An initiative of eight museums. She is disappointed with the contribution of the other museums and their communities. The ambition to promote Twente as a textile region has not taken off. This is in contrast to Borne. The initiator is full of praise for it. And particularly proud. Cooperation, mutual solidarity and the ability to find each other in the cultural network is a ticket to the future, according to Hassink. The two exhibitions set up specifically for this purpose have been particularly successful. As a result, the Bussemakerhuis has made a name for itself as a textile museum in the Netherlands. “You count.” Textile Museum in Tilburg and the Dutch Traditional Costume Association have established the museum in Borne. Two major exhibitions are also planned for this year.
Final
Borne is the only municipality in Twente that made a strong mark during Textiel Festival Twente. Is it because of the small scale or because textile is in our DNA? This textile year will end with a final event. Hard work is going on behind the scenes. At the end of March, beginning of April we can expect films, presentations, market stalls and workshops. “It’s doable! A collaboration between cultural organizations and entrepreneurs”. The connection was the red thread. Borns Textiel Collectief proved it. A finale, but also the beginning of a lasting profile of Borne as a textile community!
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