From Moluccan musician to aunt Rikie: plenty of ribbons handed out 14:52 in Regional News Almost 3000 Dutch people will receive a royal decoration today. Among them a number of well-known Dutch people, but especially many people who do volunteer work.

Traditionally, the ribbons are awarded again today, the day before King’s Day. Almost 3000 Dutch people have been lured to town halls or other official locations this year to receive a royal decoration from the mayor.

As always, there are also some notable names this year. Mitchell Esajas in Amsterdam, for example. Anthropologist, business administrator, but best known as the leader of the action group Kick Out Zwarte Piet. But aunt Rikie has also been decorated. Rikie Nijman (72) from Bronckhorst is the figurehead of the motorcycle spectacle annex pop festival Zwarte Cross.

A slightly less well-known Dutchman, but knighted: Rudy de Queljoe (75) from Waalwijk. De Queljoe was in the Moluccan band Massada and in Brainbox, but has also been seen all his life as a source of information and an example for young and old Moluccans.

Also striking: doctors and researchers who receive a ribbon. Such as gynecologist Marlies Bongers (66) from Waalre. Bongers specializes in tackling blood loss and other menstrual problems, reports Omroep Brabant.

Biodegradable plastic

In Groningen, professor Katja Loos (52) was appointed Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion. Loos conducts research into reducing environmentally polluting plastic by developing biodegradable or recyclable plastics. “Very special”, she reacts when she is awarded the ribbon at RTV Noord. “I thought there was going to be an important meeting and then you get this surprise.”

But the lion’s share of the ribbons goes to volunteers. Hendrik Bleeker (80), for example, who has been a member for over 70 years and is an active member of the THOS football club in Beerta, Groningen. Mayor Cora-Yfke Sikkema presented the ribbon in the canteen of the club. “It doesn’t bother me,” said Bleeker initially. Until he realized that the association had nominated him. “Yes, the club’s appreciation is behind that,” he said at the time. “I think that’s more important than a pin like that.”

In Delft, a ribbon went to volunteer Boekbar El Bouchtaoui, reports Omroep West. He has been collecting money for more than 35 years through the Global Bridge foundation for people who are less fortunate, both here in the Netherlands and in Morocco.

A compilation of today’s ribbon rain:

In Urk, 50-year-old Gerrit Hakvoort has been awarded. He helps throughout the Netherlands in the search for people who are missing on and around the water. He is also the initiator of the Calamity Team Maritime Urk. This team comes into action when a fishing vessel goes missing, Omroep Flevoland reports.

And then there was a remarkable story today in the Limburg municipality of Echt-Susteren. There today two people received a royal decoration who, without knowing it, had nominated each other. Mayor Jos Hessels knew it. He surprised the two when they were out together.