Krombroodrapen in Sittard

The community primarily consists of children and their parents. The baker, the municipality, the inner town parish, various associations in Sittard and the guests of honour each play their role in the Krombroodrapen (picking up krombroodjes). And last but not least, of course, the owner of the Kollenberg who makes the location available.

The distribution of bread to the poor, especially at Lent, is a very old tradition. In Sittard it was apparent up to the fifteenth century, when on Laetere Sunday  (‘rejoice’, on Mid-Lent) bread was distributed among the poor. From this form of care for the poor sprang the Krombroodrapen in the course of the years, with took place in the domestic sphere until the beginning of the twentieth century. In the early morning the father of the family hid the krombroodjes in their own garden. If there was no garden, people went to the Kollenberg to hide the krombroodjes over there. In 1923 the Krombrood Committee was established to prevent the tradition from disappearing. Ever since the Krombroodrapen has only been skipped during World War II. During the post-war years the event was shown on national television several times and as of the sixties prominent guests of honour have been present. Kennedy, Chroestjov and De Gaulle were sent krombroodjes at the time. Over the years varying side-activities have been organised. After a few disappointing editions (because of the wet weather), the Committee decided to give priority to the core activity of the Krombroodrapen itself again. Afterwards there is a short and small-scale family party at the foot of the Kollenberg.