Ruigoord

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Ruigoord
Ruigoord in the municipality of Amsterdam
Coordinates: 52°24′34″N 4°44′56″E / 52.4095°N 4.7490°E / 52.4095; 4.7490Coordinates: 52°24′34″N 4°44′56″E / 52.4095°N 4.7490°E / 52.4095; 4.7490
Country Netherlands
Province Noord-Holland
Municipality Amsterdam

Ruigoord is a former island and a village in the Houtrakpolder in the IJ lake in the Dutch province of North Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Amsterdam, and lies about 8 km east of Haarlem.[1]

In the 1960s the village was evacuated by the municipality of Amsterdam, which intended to extend its harbour, but the plans fell through. In 1973 the village was squatted by a group of artists who planned to make a colony there.[2] It exists to this day, but is legalized nowadays. Full moon parties are regularly organised in the church and every year there is a festival in August.[3]

Since the early 2000s, the village has staged an annual poetry festival over the Whitsun weekend, Fiery Tongues. One of the festivals' three days is always devoted to international poets. From 2003 on, a yearly Ruigoord Trophy has been awarded to individuals who have selflessly dedicated themselves to maintaining the village as an important cultural stronghold. The first such trophy was presented to Simon Vinkenoog. Two notable non-Dutch trophy holders are the late American poet and photographer Ira Cohen and the Canada-born writer Jordan Zinovich.

See also

References

  1. ↑ ANWB Topografische Atlas Nederland, Topografische Dienst and ANWB, 2005.
  2. ↑ http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20020110053123/http://www.etext.org/Politics/Arm.The.Spirit/Autonomous.Left/netherlands.squats.march-1996
  3. ↑ Landjuweel 2008!
Ruigoord

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