Double interview Pien Leukenhaus and Jan-Willem Klink

“This isn't really a place for coffee, right?” Jan-Willem sits on a stool at the bar in the main hall of the Citizen Orphanage and takes a sip of his cup of comfort. Pien, from behind the bar: “We do normally send visitors to the Burgercafé for coffee or tea, but this is an interview and not a concert or a dance night. For once, it's okay. By the way, our offerings are constantly changing. For example, we have recently been offering sweet shots, for the younger target group. But coffee in the room, no, that's a step too far. '

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Pien is a volunteer coordinator at the Civic Orphanage. She manages a pool of 124 volunteers in the right direction. “We still receive new requests almost every week. Without us making an effort to do so. People know where to find us. ' The bars, among others, are run by volunteers. Pien himself is not normally behind the beer pump. Once the volunteers have taken their place during a concert or club night, she plays a role as hostess and manager.

There is a hazing for new arrivals, an unofficial one, yes, but still: “pitting service”. Jan-Willem, pointing to the roster in the middle of the room: “At the end of the evening, we always went around with the fire hose and a bucket of suds.” Pien: “That's still the case.” Jan-Willem: “All evenings disappeared into that well. But there always came a moment and the hole was clogged. You guessed it: someone has to get in there by hand — the newbies. What do you find there? ' He laughs: “A summary of the evening.”

Social beings

For over ten years, Jan-Willem was a volunteer at the Civic Orphanage. First he stood behind the bar, later at the door. “What Go Ahead Eagles is for football fans, the Citizen Orphanage is for me: coming home. One day, my friend and then-director Pascal Bouma pulled my hair in the neck. I was summoned, as it were. He said: 'I'll see you tomorrow at eight o'clock, half past eight is also allowed.” Jan-Willem did not object, because, he knows, you make places like the Citizen Orphanage together. 'What's more, as a volunteer at Burger, I wasn't so bad. I was able to go to all the concerts and got a few coins for less. '

In daily life, Klink, as most people call him, is a supporter coordinator at Go Ahead Eagles. There, he experiences a similar force field. “Volunteers are the cornerstone on which organizations such as Go Ahead and Burger float.” Pien approving: “Without volunteers, we might as well close the tent.” Jan-Willem: “And it works both ways, doesn't it? Clubs like this can't live without the people and the people can't live without clubs. I have experienced funerals and weddings at Burger. We humans are social beings, we are looking for connection. It is not without reason that Go Ahead Eagles is called a red and yellow church by some. Everyone wants to belong somewhere, right? '

City on paper

Volunteers at the Citizen Orphanage call themselves Orphans. Pien: “That's no coincidence either. The interconnectedness is great, people have found each other here. Take a group of Syrian boys into our pool. They started here years ago when they were still living in the asylum center in Schalkhaar. They now feel at home here and, partly because of Burger, they have also come to love Deventer and the Netherlands. '

Jan-Willem: “If we are dissecting this tent anyway. The last syllable is house. And that's what Burger also feels like: accessible, safe. You always know someone here, you're never anonymous. It's us knows us. And if you're new and don't know anyone yet, you'll find a connection quickly. Is that the Hanseatic mentality? Maybe. People in Deventer have always been coming and going. '

Pien: “On paper, Deventer is a city, in its heart a village. We are a sober people. The result is a unique, pleasant atmosphere. ' Partly for this reason, hassles are rare at the Civic Orphanage. Pien gets up from her stool and walks to a red button on the left side of the row of refrigerators. She presses it, but nothing happens. “Good story this. It's off now, but an alarm would sound during shows. In case there are any hassles. Partly because of that button, volunteers feel safe. We are a small stage, security guards are on site quickly. '

Jan-Willem: “There will always be bugs, that's the same with Go Ahead. Put a lot of people together with drinks and things go wrong. It's part of it. We all have to slip up once, right? The question is: how did you arrange it? I think a button like that and a few security guards will go a long way. In addition, social control does its job. Because of the friendly atmosphere and the culture we know, people know they have something to lose here. You don't have to do much to make sure everyone in town talks about you tonight.”

In an attempt to capture the character of the Citizen Orphanage, the same words always fall: unique, friendly, approachable. Jan-Willem: “But that's the way it is. It is not without reason that the press always writes so highly about both Burgerweehuis and Go Ahead. I really think that the municipality should embrace both institutions more. Does a stranger still think of cake when he hears Deventer? I don't think so. Come on folks, we're your poster boy. '

Careful kiss

Volunteers, a social function, a unique, friendly atmosphere: drawing parallels between the Citizen Orphanage and Go Ahead Eagles isn't that difficult. To strengthen the core values, 'Burger' and 'Kowet' therefore joined forces at the beginning of this year. “As icons of the city, both parties understand the power of cooperation and want to have a positive impact on the development of talent and youth in the region,” says the press release announcing the collaboration.” Jan-Willem laughs: “Nice words. Here's how I see it: they've loved each other for a long time, now they've also started petting. Maybe there's even a cautious kiss here and there. ' Pien: 'I understand that we will get seats in the Eagle Shorst next season and that Go Ahead will be able to use our venue a few times a year. ' Jan-Willem: “Very good. Who knows what that will lead to in the future? In view of what's going on, I think it's smart that the Citizen Orphanage is even more entrenched in the city. '

Because there is indeed another parallel: both Go Ahead Eagles and the Citizen Orphanage are ready for a larger and more modern home with a higher level of service. In the Vetkampstraat, plans are now being made to expand the stadium, while maintaining its character and identity. If all goes well, things will kick in after the current football season. In Bagijnenstraat, there are mainly question marks. Pien: “Of course, it's a beautiful black hole where we're sitting with our coffee now, but it's a black hole that needs to be replaced.”

Years ago, Go Ahead Eagles threatened to build a new stadium on the highway. Anyone who has anything to do with Go Ahead is glad it didn't come to that. Elsewhere in the country, for example at AZ, you can see what comes of it. Jan-Willem: “The service level is good in Alkmaar, but the soul is missing. What makes Burger Burger? You have to move on with that. ' Pien: “When you ask our volunteers that question, they mention the cringeness and the characterful building, among other things. The Harbour Quarter was top notch in that regard. ' Jan-Willem: “I get it, but in principle, you could create something like that anywhere, right? I was recently in Leuven in a nice room. It didn't look good on the outside, it was great inside — very atmospheric. The Schouwburg is not suitable for that. That's like moving in with your in-laws in the back house on the farm. Burger is a unique institution with forty years of history, created by people. These people deserve a place of their own. '

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Photography: Isabelle Renate la Poutre

Interview: Job Hulsman

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