Double interview Ron König and Arthur Akkermans

Wednesday morning, half past 10. The fluorescent lights on the ceiling illuminate the room with functional cold light. From this height, you can see exactly where we are: in a black square container — that's all it takes. Normally people dance, drink, sweat here, now it's quiet. The only familiar thing is the smell of stale beer. Once before, the mayor of Deventer went on stage at the Civic Orphanage. That was at the start of the anniversary year, not so long ago. Then he stood and wore a tie. Now Ron — we can say Ron today — is sitting in an uncomfortable chair and wearing a turtleneck. He looks back, at the steel rod at the top of the backrest and says, “Who would come up with something like that?”

Body fluids

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Also joined: Arthur, lead singer of rocking whirlwind The Grand East, which sees Deventer as her home base. For a few years, the band has had a studio in the creative incubator STROOM in the Havenkwartier. In recent years, The Grand East has played regularly at the Civic Orphanage. At the end of such an evening, Arthur usually hung from the ceiling while the beer flew through the air — or stood on his head. 'I like to stimulate and let loose, that people think: what's happening? ' Yet this quiet, chilly sight doesn't feel awkward for him. Because playing, no matter how many body fluids eventually fly around, it always starts somewhere in the afternoon with a blank canvas. Sober.

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'I had to take recorder lessons, I didn't like it'

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When Ron says that he played the guitar as a child but that — his words — made him sad, Arthur springs up. It sounds a bit like its story, he says, but with a different ending. Arthur: 'I had to take recorder lessons, I didn't like it. The guitar lessons after that weren't for me either. But I'm lucky to be able to sing. Rehearsing for hours was something I never did as a child. It wasn't until later that I took singing lessons. ' To Ron: “So never say never. Hey, how's your voice really? ' Ron laughs: “It's weak, that's hereditary. I'm sorry that I don't have more musical talent because I love music. I love what you do. ' Arthur: “Who are your favorite artists?” Ron: 'I'm a bit stuck in my time: Dire Straits, Bruce Springsteen, that work. '

Big, small town

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Arthur grew up in Diepenheim, in the middle of the triangle that forms when you draw lines between Zutphen, Hengelo and Deventer. As a child, he often came to the Citizen Orphanage. He saw many concerts. The first memory that comes to mind: singer-songwriter Daniel Norgren in the garden. Arthur: 'The sun was shining, it was a wonderful evening. Afterwards, I went up to him. “Can you make a living from it?” I asked. He nodded. Then I thought: so it's achievable! ' They were already busy then, he and the other members of The Grand East. Where they were at that time? Arthur laughs and then says: “A little bit where we are now. We're not making much progress. On the other hand: a lot of bands envy us. Who goes out on a Saturday night, stands in front of three hundred people, drinks beer and also pockets a few hundred euros at the end of the evening? That's awesome, isn't it! Every year, we play at many festivals, including in Germany. '

“When you step into the cafe here, everyone immediately starts yelling at you”

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To supplement his salary, Arthur has a pink ice cream cart that he uses to travel across the country from his hometown of Utrecht. He sings and acts a little crazy. On colder days, he sells poffertjes. He is now a familiar sight for many customers. It makes good money, he says, especially in the Randstad, where prices are higher on average. Still, he's considering moving here. Arthur: “Deventer has a nice balance between village and city. When you step into the cafe here, everyone immediately starts talking to you. I love that. ' Ron, who has been listening carefully to Arthur for a long time: 'I get it. Deventer is a big, small city. '

“Hey, there's the mayor.”

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Ron, mayor of Deventer since 2019, grew up in Doesburg and worked in Arnhem and Rheden for years. He calls himself 'a boy from the IJssel'. When he's in Amsterdam, he thinks at the end of the day: it's time to go home. Ron: 'I love the mentality of the people here, the manners and the friendliness. And crazy, because Deventer is not a good provincial town. ' Arthur: “Exactly! That is so much fun. It's definitely not boring here. ' Although Ron regrets that relatively few students are staying in Deventer. “You used to study environmental science here, that's what students from all over the country came to. Now archaeology is the only study that is only in Deventer. It is a smaller study, but in turn draws funny types. It brings life to the city. '

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“Of course, you sometimes see someone watching, like: hey, there's the mayor”

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The cultural sector in Deventer calls Ron “rich and varied”. He himself likes to visit the Bergkerk, loves classical music. And thanks to his girlfriend, he has also started watching pop music more and more in recent years. His first concert in Burger was Blaudzun. It was during corona time, they sat in seats at a safe distance from other couples. Enthusiastic: “But really nice, we'll be going to Roos Rebergen soon.” Visiting a concert is relaxing for him, even in the city where he is mayor. With eyes that may be focused on him, he is not busy. Ron: “That's the great thing about Deventer. Of course, you sometimes see someone watching, like: hey, there's the mayor. But most of them aren't complicated about that. '

Very exciting

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With The Grand East, Arthur plays across the country, their band members live all over the Netherlands. Nevertheless, they dropped their anchor in Deventer. No coincidence, he says: “Once you get asked to perform, you get to know people, one thing leads to another. At the end of the day, you're still attracted to the people you like. ' Every city has its own scene, he knows from experience. “For example, I find Utrecht a bit appealing and sweet. The common denominator of big cities is that people live side by side and that everyone measures up to each other. In Deventer, I don't taste that competition as much. The network is good and you often run into goodwill here. This really shows that Deventer is a big, small city. Here people are still trying something together to put down.

The fact that Arthur and his band were able to go to STROOM was of course a bonus. “Just find a space where you can make nice sound without people complaining for not too much money. That's almost gone. ' Ron approving: “Totally agree. Every piece of land has become valuable because we want to build houses. Where is there still room for art? Places like STROOM belong in a growing city like Deventer. We have to keep an eye on that. '

'When I climb those escalators, I feel like I'm going on vacation'

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What also belongs in a growing city: a good music venue. Ron shuts down and nods: “Yes, yes, absolutely true. Music venues are one of the scarce places in society where people from different layers of society still meet each other. ' He looks into the room. “The funny thing is: it's not possible in this place anymore. At the beginning of my term, I still thought: we're renovating and isolating things, but we just can't get it done. The rack is out, we have to move on elsewhere. That also offers opportunities, although I can't deny that I find it extremely exciting. How do you maintain the atmosphere? ' While asking that question, he looks emphatically at Arthur.

Getting lost a bit

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It was about it even before the interview had really started: how do you get inspired in a new room? TivoliVredenburg, for example, reminds Arthur of Schiphol. “When I climb those escalators, I feel like I'm going on vacation. I want to be able to drink beer after a concert; that's great at Burger. Either you stay in the auditorium, or you go to the café. Totally great. ' Ron: “But I think you can also achieve something like that in a concrete container.” Arthur: “Sure, sure, that shouldn't matter. It's about how you fill it out. ' When asked about good examples, Arthur mentions Muziekgieterij in Maastricht. “A new room, but attractive. There are paintings everywhere, you can get a little lost there. Lovely. '

“How do we ensure that there is a bit of character in that tent?”

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Politicians, “although with a narrow majority”, have chosen to investigate whether the Deventer Schouwburg and Citizen Orphanage can continue together under one roof. Ron agrees with this decision. “Deventer has a surplus of stages. The old movie house is empty and the Schouwburg's small auditorium is the same size as Mimik's theater. That is strange for a city the size of Deventer; it is the result of previous decision-making. I do not find it complicated to say that in the intended new set-up, the Civic Orphanage can be a solution to this problem, but note that the Civic Orphanage will have a full-fledged, private place. I hope that there can be a collaboration where the theater and music venue thrive. Whether that will work,” he uses the word again, “is very exciting.”

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Peeing in the corner

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Arthur knows the opinion of many Deventeners about the semi-detached plan, namely: useless. What he particularly regrets is that Burgerhaven will not take place. As far as he was concerned, it was perfect: the industrial building, the rugged location, the interaction with STROOM and Burnside, the whole ambiance. Anyway, that's off the table. So Arthur, you tell me. What needs to be done? He sits up, scrapes his voice and then says measurably: “I want to come in and smell the beer smell from the day before. The floor may well stick a bit. At home in the living room, I have mood lights everywhere. It just has to be a little bit fun. ' Ron: “You're putting me on a track. As mayor, I can't do much, I'm above the parties, but of course I can ask questions. How do we ensure that there is a bit of character in that tent? ' Arthur: “This is the way! Now everyone is skeptical, but things can change quickly when the door opens later and the first impression is: dude, this is fun! I say: empty a keg of beer across the floor and pee in the corner. Then you have a wonderful music venue. '

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Photography: Isabelle Renate la Poutre

Interview: Job Hulsman