The Orange association ‘Den Vaderlandt Getrouwe’ in Aalten’s Heurne, founded in 1946, has long been a driving force behind community spirit and local cultural traditions. With an active committee and deeply rooted festivities, the association has connected young and old in the neighbourhood for decades.
Foundation and history
The association was founded in 1946, shortly after the Second World War. The festivities were embraced enthusiastically by local residents from the outset. Historical newspaper archives show that the earliest celebrations took place at locations such as the Kempink farm (1946), and later for many years in the meadow and large barn at ’t Slaa.
The association enjoyed broad support in the community from an early stage; by 1954 ‘Den Vaderlandt Getrouwe’ already had 380 members. From the beginning it worked closely with neighbouring associations to provide the programme. The LUKAS theatre society from Heurne, and occasionally O.B.K. from Miste, traditionally staged plays on the festival evenings, while music societies such as Advendo from Lintelo, Crescendo from IJzerlo and Excelsior from Barlo provided the music. Speakers at the festivities, including local head teachers and chairmen such as J.W. Colenbrander and Joh. Legters, regularly stressed the meaning behind the association’s name: loyalty to the country and to the House of Orange.
Annual activities and membership
Today the Orange association is run by a committee of nine members. To strengthen ties within the neighbourhood, it organises a variety of activities each year. These include a regular King’s Day gathering at which residents raise a glass together to the King’s birthday.
The highlight of the association’s year is the Heurne Orange Festival. This three-day marksmen’s festival traditionally takes place in July. The programme has long included traditional games and children’s activities. Characteristic customs such as ‘collecting the king’ – ceremonially collecting the previous year’s marksmen’s king from his home – and the subsequent shooting competition to choose the new king form the heart of the festival. The celebrations traditionally end with a royal ball in honour of the newly crowned king or queen.
The association’s plans and the evaluation of its activities are discussed at the annual members’ meeting on the last Friday in January. Membership is open to anyone who lives in Aalten’s Heurne or feels connected with the neighbourhood.
80th anniversary
The year 2026 marks the association’s 80th anniversary, with an extensive programme of celebrations spread throughout the year. Alongside a party evening for members, a cycle ride and a communal lunch on King’s Day, a four-day festival week in July forms the main official celebration. The programme reflects the association’s historic traditions and concludes with a marquee party on the grounds of the local community centre, D’n Heurnsen Tref on Brethouwerweg in Aalten’s Heurne.