Overview
The beginning of Varsseveldsestraatweg, from the junction with Landstraat / Lichtenvoordsestraatweg to the former Rev. Stegeman School, used to be very narrow. Locally it was therefore known as the ‘Nauw van Calais’ (‘Strait of Calais’). In the 1970s the road was widened by demolishing several houses. Two of the buildings that had to make way for the widening had become home to youth groups: Nirwana and De Keet.
A newspaper report from what was probably the early 1970s stated:
As part of the improvement of the junction between Varsseveldsestraat and Landstraat, the municipality of Aalten will shortly begin demolishing the properties at Varsseveldsestraat 1 and 3. Demolition is necessary because the passage at this point is far too narrow. The buildings had already stood empty for some time awaiting demolition, and two youth groups had found accommodation there. One group had adopted the heavenly name ‘Nirwana’; the other was simply called ‘De Keet’.
With the demolition of their premises, both groups are more or less threatened with extinction because they have not yet found new accommodation. Nevertheless, they intend to leave the buildings without causing difficulties. Clearing out has already begun.
For countless young people in Aalten, the continued existence of both groups is of great importance. ‘The groups clearly meet a need,’ says J. Westerink, commander of the local Rijkspolitie unit, who otherwise speaks particularly positively about them. The municipal authorities are also sympathetic, but believe that the young people should first try to find accommodation themselves before approaching the municipality. A conversation with the two groups quickly reveals major differences between them.
Nirwana
The Nirwana group is clearly left-wing in outlook. There are striking similarities with the much-maligned ‘Pick’ in Lichtenvoorde, a youth group that caused considerable controversy in that municipality. Nirwana has no committee or board. There is no control over what those present do. Anyone who wants a bottle of beer simply takes one, and it is trusted that they will pay for it. If they do not, nobody gets worked up about it. ‘Trust is our starting point,’ say Nirwana’s most loyal members.
They readily admit that people regularly take psychedelic drugs at the club. When the police carried out an investigation some time ago — Nirwana members speak of ‘the raid’ — everything pointed to drug use, although the police did not find any narcotics. A water pipe was confiscated, however.
Nirwana has a cushion loft where amorous visitors can indulge themselves as they please. Even so, the group clearly values social behaviour. One Nirwana member explained: ‘Some time ago it often happened that couples came in and immediately ran upstairs. After that they were beyond our reach. We thought that was antisocial behaviour. So we all sat down around them and made it clear that we deserved some of their attention too.’
A great deal of sleeping goes on at the club. People who cannot find anywhere to sleep can stay here. Quite a few foreigners appear to have made use of this opportunity. Young people from Aalten who do not want to go home, for example after falling out with their parents, can also find shelter at Nirwana.
Political interest is focused on the CPN, PSP and perhaps the PvdA. Political subjects are often discussed. There are plans to publish a Nirwana newspaper in the future. Other activities are fairly limited. People mainly listen to music, talk little and spend a lot of time doing nothing.
De Keet
Immediately next door to Nirwana, on the right, De Keet has found a home. Several clear differences stand out. De Keet is much more orderly inside. There is a barman who sells drinks and a disc jockey who decides which records are played. The organisation is very clearly in the hands of an authoritarian core group that calls the shots.
The people attracted to De Keet are generally somewhat younger than the Nirwana crowd. Order and rules prevail. ‘We want to keep it enjoyable,’ say members of the core group. Courting is of course allowed, but not too much. Anyone who takes drugs is thrown out; they want nothing to do with that. ‘And we want nothing to do with the people next door either’ — accompanied by a distinctly disapproving gesture towards Nirwana. De Keet members do not consider Nirwana’s trust-based approach realistic. The attitude here is also clearly more materialistic. ‘If they had watched their money a bit more carefully at Nirwana, they would certainly have had ten thousand guilders by now.’
De Keet considers it very important to make a good impression on the older generation. ‘We want our parents to approve of us coming here.’ Nobody therefore sleeps here at night. Discussions often concern music, religion, public morals and politics. Political preference tends towards the governing parties.
Conceited
Nirwana members accuse the De Keet crowd of narrow-minded thinking. They do admit that the music at De Keet is better, and otherwise describe them as ‘nice boys’. In the eyes of De Keet supporters, however, the Nirwana crowd are conceited. ‘They think they are more and better than we are, they have a foolish way of kicking up a fuss and their principles are unwise,’ the De Keet members say.
Although nearby Aalten residents occasionally complain about too much noise and practical jokes, complaints are generally not too serious. Adjutant Westerink, who as mentioned takes a fairly positive view, nevertheless has reservations. ‘There is no fixed objective,’ he says. ‘There is only vagueness. But perhaps that vagueness — freedom, the club visitors call it — is their objective.’ He describes his contact with members of the core groups as good. ‘It is individuals who spoil things,’ he believes.
On drug use he says: ‘I do assume that drugs are being used, although one should not exaggerate the scale of it. Wherever young people gather nowadays, these substances are passed around. Something similar happened recently at the festival hall.’ Mr Westerink does not believe the groups have the sympathy of Aalten’s population. Such things generally do not appeal much to local people. He does, however, think that the people of Aalten sometimes react far too negatively.
Subsidy
Nirwana has submitted a request for a subsidy to the mayor and aldermen. If they decide to put the matter before Aalten municipal council, it promises to produce an interesting debate. For the time being, the greatest concern for both groups is finding somewhere to stay. Otherwise they will be back out on the streets.
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