Utrecht Ambition

Monday, 2nd February, the Rabo Bank and the Algemeen Dagblad had organized the last of the four debates about the future of Utrecht.

The question was: What is the ambition of Utrecht (at the moment) and what should it be.

Top representatives from the culture, sport, science and education fields debated with 3 aldermen (wethouders), the audience and last but not least with the sympathetic mayor of Utrecht. Alas the representatives merely talked for their own field of interest.

In general everybody agreed that Utrecht has a lot to offer, but is not able to show it to the world, among others since the nature of the Utrechters is: “Act normal, that is crazy enough", ... ( This proves that I am not really a 100% Utrechter :).
After the debate we short talked with the mayor who recognizes us little by little and some other interesting people.

By the way, these debates are important, for in 2013 Utrecht celebrates the anniversary of the signing of The Peace of Utrecht (Vrede van Utrecht) of 1713.

In 2018 Utrecht is nominated for the European Cultural Capital of the year 2018...
More about it in one of the blogs that will follow.

Utrecht Colourful Pavement Bricks

This morning I looked out of my window and saw what a colourful pavement bricks we do have in our small street.
Usually I don’t pay attention to it but now the rain had washed the dust away and the bricks looked like reborn.
In others streets are also this kind of pavement bricks in fish bone pattern but not with this attractive colour combination.

Utrecht Het Bolwerk

At the Servaas-

bolwerk,

a camou-

flaged German pillbox (bunker) was pulled down on September 27, 2004. On this place 16 apartments have been built, called "Het Bolwerk" (The Bulwark).

Saturday I passed it on my way to the baker and I loved the golden shine of the rising sun on the building.

Utrecht City Rights

In the year 1122 , the 2nd of June, the Utrecht Bishop Godebald granted city rights to the inhabitants of Utrecht. They were ratified on two documents with seal by Emperor Hendrik V.

The rights gave privileges (erecting a wall, market rights, the right to have an own coin and so on) and laws.

From that moment on Utrecht started to be a city.

In the newspaper people suggested to make June 2 the yearly anniversary of Utrecht.

The more parties the better :).

Utrecht Plompentorengracht

A beautiful door at the
Plompen-
torengracht with
three wise heads gazing to
all what happens in front of
their eyes.


And that's what I want to do, being amazed about everything what I see or hear to write it down.