Column: Look around—they’re everywhere
As you read this, I have been mayor of Tytsjerksteradiel for just over four months. That’s only a short time, but long enough to appreciate just how special our municipality and its residents are. I’ve met many residents who have made a deep impression on me. People who dedicate themselves heart and soul to their village, their club, or their neighbors. The leaders, the connectors, the quiet forces who are always there for others. These people show us what “community” really means.
That’s exactly why I noticed that things remained quiet in our community during last month’s awards ceremony. No awards were handed out. But that doesn’t mean those special people aren’t here. Because I see them every day. And you can’t help but see them, too.
In March, outside of the annual awards ceremony, I had the honor of presenting a Royal Decoration to Pieter Dijkstra from Burgum. It was my first time doing so as mayor. A special moment. You see someone who has devoted himself selflessly and with great passion to the community for many years. That touches people. And yes, it touched me too.
What strikes me is that these extraordinary people are often very modest. Perhaps that’s a typical Frisian trait, or at least characteristic of our region. “Oh, I just do it; it’s part of my life,” they say. While we all know that it’s not “just” that, but “extraordinary”! Maybe we’re a bit too down-to-earth, too modest? But let that not be a reason not to recognize extraordinary people.
That’s why I’d like to invite you to take a moment to look around you. In your neighborhood, your community, your family. Who deserves to be seen? Who, in your opinion, is truly deserving of a ribbon?
If you have someone in mind, take that first step. On this page, you can read more about how to apply for a royal honor. Don’t wait too long, because applications for the 2027 Royal Honors must be submitted to us by July 1, 2026. Would you prefer to discuss this with us first? Call us at 14 0511 or email lintjes@t-diel.nl. We’re happy to help you through the process.
Let’s work together to ensure that the remarkable people in our community don’t go unnoticed. And that next year, during the awards ceremony, we can look around with pride and say, “These are the remarkable residents of Tytsjerksteradiel!”
Kanter Breuker,
, mayor