Zate Hermeniekes

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Zate Hermeniekes (Drunken marching brass bands).

February 25, 2020: RTV Maastricht. Photos above: sculptures of “zate Hermeniekes” on the Vrijthof. This year André Rieu had been selected to conduct the “Zate Hermeniekes” on Carnival Tuesday, February 25th. The orchestra leader led the bands on the Vrijthof during the performance of the Maastricht City Anthem, in the presence of Prince Luc II, the Carnival Prince. This was the first time Rieu took control of this annual tradition. The carnival street bands are called “Zate Hermeniekes” which means: “Drunken marching brass bands”. They are a number of groups (non professional musicians, family, friends) who perform during the Carnival season and they take great pride in parading through the city streets in all their festive finery. There will be eight different places where the bands will be performing during the day. They will take turns in performing at each of their stops in Maastricht, at: Sint Pieterstraat, Graanmarkt, Onze Lieve Vrouweplein, Vissersmaas, Stationstraat, Mariapleintje, Markt and Vrijthof, as from 2 PM. The Zate Hermeniekes concours is organized by the “Tempeleers Maastricht” (Carnival association). There is a group of sculptures on the Vrijthof Square which honors the Zate Hermeniekes (photo above). When the fans are in Maastricht during the André Rieu summer concerts, they never see the sculptures, since they are hidden behind the stage (or temporarily removed). Carnival 2020 in Limburg takes place on 23, 24 and 25 February 2020. On the last day, which is called Carnival Tuesday, it is a tradition that a well-known citizen of Maastricht conducts all the marching brass bands together, on the Vrijthof square. Maastricht born and raised André Rieu will be conducting the Zate Hermeniekes when they will be performing the Maastricht anthem on the Vrijthof for City Prince Luc II at approximately 4:30 PM. The event will be broadcast live by Limburg TV. Rieu: “Hermeniekes are an intrinsic part of Maastricht's Carnival celebrations, which have become so well-known thanks to their musical contributions. I enjoy the Hermeniekes in my home town. That I am now given the chance to conduct them, is incredibly special for me." The zate Hermeniekes also feature a number of well-known Maastricht citizens: Theo Bovens (governor of the province of Limburg) is a member of the "Sous Bras Band Tête de Veau" and Maastricht Mayor Annemarie Penn-te Strake plays with "De Dreuvege vaan’ t Pleinsje".

Video by RTV Maastricht on February 25th 2020. Duration: 7 minutes.

Below a Carnival Impression. Raising the “Mooswief” (vegetable woman) on the Vrijthof, (in front of the Momus restaurant), means the start of the carnival festivities.

Thanks to Marcel van Hoorn for great photos. The “Undercover” photo is brilliant! (The English word “undercover” sounds in the Dutch language like “Under a suitcase”)

André singing with Prince Luc II.