Dear reader,

The time has finally come!

After 5 years of “toiling and sweating” (as they say so beautifully in Beesel), my second photobook is published by Uitgeverij Lecturis. This is now in the final phase at the Wilco Art Books printing company. It is expected to be delivered in the coming weeks. The tension is starting to build up for me...

Through this message I would like to invite you to celebrate this festive moment with me. On Saturday, December 16, '23 the book launch will take place at De Troubadour at Markt 7 in Beesel at 3:00 PM and I hope you can be there. It’s become a special project for me that was made between 2018 and 2023 to unfold the social structure and sense of solidarity surrounding an exciting and compelling legend. From Saturday December 16, the photobook will be available to the public after the official part and presentation at the launch. Hans van Kruchten, chairman of the Draakteken Beesel Foundation, will talk about the collaboration in recent years and I will be present to explain the work myself.

The photo book is published by Uitgeverij Lecturis, with design by -SYB- and text written by Jona Lendering.

ISBN: 9789462265035
Language: NL / ENG
Pages: 198

Drakeblood photobook:
Dragons are celebrated worldwide in various forms, such as in stories, books, films and series. The most famous story in Europe is that of George and the Dragon, but how can this legend have a major impact on a small village community in Central Limburg, the Netherlands? Beesel is dragon territory! A dragon from the Meuse appears in this village once every seven years and the story is passed on from generation to generation. By entering into close collaboration with the village, I have managed to capture this age-old phenomenon. When you are born in Beesel, 'drake blood' automatically flows through your veins. 'Drakeblood' is Limburgish dialect for dragon's blood.

The oldest known mention of the Beeselse dragon dates from 1736, where people sang about 'songs about that poisonous dragon’ . In the region this phenomenon is known as Draaksteken, literally dragon stabbing.
It seems to be much older, but due to a gigantic fire in 1899, many archives about the village were lost and it remains only speculation. This photobook brings together images from various archives in The Netherlands, from family albums and photographs I made in the past years.

In Beesel a history has been created around an event that never happened. Robin has captured this elusive myth within a community. Where, as the famous saying goes, it takes this village to raise a dragon.

RSVP:
I would like to know if you can attend the book launch due to the catering. This can be done with the RSVP at the bottom of this message. Have you already registered as a funder of Voordekunst.nl? Then you can see this message as a friendly reminder and you don't have to do anything further.

Lots of love,
Robin

The photobook ‘Drakeblood’ is supported by:

R.O. van Gennep fonds & funders at Voordekunst.nl