Strao

Every spring, eight weeks prior to Easter, a procession of flower-draped draught horses rides to the beach to wash their legs in Zeeland’s sea water. The strao, an age-old tradition on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland, concerns six villages: Renesse, Burgh-Haamstede, Noordwelle, Ellemeet, Scharendijke and Serooskerke. The evil spirits, which according to old tales would have gathered in the horses’ legs, are rinsed out.

Photobook 'STRAO'
Texts by Arita Baaijens, Roos Gortzak, Huib Uil
Design by Lisa Laperre
2019, SUB Publising
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Installation of Na Gedane Arbeid - een eerbetoon aan het trekpaard at Zeeuws Museum, Middelburg

Trailer of Na Gedane Arbeid/After the work is done
Een eerbetoon aan het trekpaard/A tribute to the draught horse

Video diptych
Duration: 06.39 minuten

Concept, direction & production: Janne van Gilst
Camera, sound & montage: A Small Production Company
Soundtrack: broeder Dieleman
Postproduction audio: Pim van de Werken

Cast: Bart van der Wekken, Johan, Miranda de Glopper, Linda de Glopper,
Jolanda de Glopper, Quinta van Roosjeshof, Rilana van Roosjeshof

Locations: Ouwerkerk, Noordwelle, Serooskerke (Schouwen-Duiveland)

Commissioned by: Zeeuws Museum, Middelburg

Supported by: Prins Bernard Cultuurfonds Zeeland

Thanks to: Meertens Instituut, Straocomité Noordwelle, Straocomité Serooskerke

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