The Inventory Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in the Netherlands contains ICH of which the communities, groups or individuals involved have written a safeguarding plan. Those plans are reviewed by an independent review committee. Every three years an evaluation of the safeguarding takes place.

Description

The Stichting Abrahamdag Oosterhout (Oosterhout Abraham Day Foundation) has the objective to collectively celebrate the reaching of the fiftieth birthday by men who were born in the same year, regardless of nationality, skin colour, religion or ideology, during Abraham Day on the first Saturday of October. It is a feast of recognition with a fair dose of humour and self-mockery. Every year 350 Abrahams can take part. They come from all over the Netherlands, but also from surrounding countries and further away. An exchange programme has developed with the Jaartallendag (Age Set Day) in Leuven (Belgium). The programme of an Abraham Day consists of a number of elements: after the welcoming and registration, the opening takes place in the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, there is a reception at the town hall, a wreath-laying at the Abraham statue, a lunch, various activities and the day ends with a dinner and a party night with family members, friends and former Abrahams.

 

Community

The community consists of men who will reach the age of fifty in that year. More than 20,000 men have now celebrated Abraham Day in Oosterhout. More and more men register years beforehand, to be sure of participation. The participants come from the region, but also from other parts in the Netherlands and abroad. The Oosterhout Abraham Day Foundation organises the day, assisted by volunteers. The parish of St. Catherine, the municipal authority, music societies, local pubs and restaurants, all of them contribute to the day. The cultural centre De Bussel is the location for meals and party.

 

History

In 1963 Leo Wellens celebrated his fiftieth birthday and invited all the men who became fifty in the same year as well, to celebrate with him in Oosterhout. For this purpose he established the Abraham Committee. That was such a success, that is was decided to turn it into an annual event. The Abraham statue, made by Niel Steenbergen, was unveiled at the fiftieth edition. Since 1975 there has been a cooperation with the Leuven Age Set Society. An special annual newspaper, named De Baard (The Beard) is issued. As of 2007 the Foundation issues a certificate to associations, foundations and other organisations on their fiftieth anniversary. Their own Abraham Day in 2013 was an extraordinary day.

 

Contact

Stichting Abrahamdag Oosterhout
Website