Aunt Rikie is stepping down as Zwarte Cross festival director
No succession, but jubilee and everlasting leadership
Aunt Rikie turned 70! On this memorable day she also announces her retirement as festival director of the Zwarte Cross. Aunt Rikie: “As I approached my 70th birthday, I also started looking back on my career as the first festival director in the Netherlands. I'm never really into that, but after the last Zwarte Cross I couldn't resist browsing through my photo albums. During my holiday I kept talking about beautiful moments from the past 23 editions. When I came home, I knew: after the Zwarte Cross 2020 I will hang up my sedan chair.”
Aunt Rikie is still so fit that she prefers to lift the sedan chair, with carriers and all, herself. But after 23 years, she can no longer work on the festival site for four days, from morning to night. For the diva who has remained so ordinary, it is time for a well-deserved retirement. However, Aunt Rikie will never completely disappear from the scene. She is forever the undisputed festival director of the Zwarte Cross and her image will remain on display at the festival. There will be no successor because she cannot be replaced.
Theme Zwarte Cross 2020: 'You can do it!'
Looking back also came the realization that Rikie had become dispensable. “The organization is running like a charm and when I look at the audience from the wings I think: how wonderful!” says the visibly emotional festival director. “The theme of the Zwarte Cross 2020 is therefore: 'You can do it!'. I have come to the conclusion that good people do not need a leader at all and with this theme I want to say: you can organize a fantastic festival, you can make it a great party and you can make all your dreams come true at the Zwarte Cross, but especially outside there.”
Jubilee year up to and including the Black Cross
The organization is happy and proud to announce a jubilee year. This will last until the Zwarte Cross 2020. During this festive year, attention will be drawn in every possible way to what Aunt Rikie means for the Zwarte Cross and its visitors. During the Zwarte Cross 2020, the Great Helmsman will be waved goodbye in a spectacular manner. More will be announced about this during the Jubilee Year. Of course, she will be welcomed as a guest of honor with all due respect for as long as she wants. Aunt Rikie: “I have never been to the Zwarte Cross as a visitor, haha. What would it look like among all the people instead of above them? Anyway, first the Zwarte Cross 2020 and I'm really looking forward to that!”.
Dear Aunt Rikie, congratulations on your 70th birthday. Thank you for everything you have done for De Feestfabriek and the Zwarte Cross. Enjoy life as a retired festival director!
Posted: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: Zwarte Cross
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