Leerdam wants to shine in international glass year: ‘We are still far too modest’

They have many symbolic statements about it, in Leerdam. The city breathes glass, it always floats around there. And above all: once you have been caught by the glass virus, it will never let you go, laughs master sharpener Albert Seubring. “That’s how it went with me. But yes, I can’t find a successor so far. So this year is really coming.”

It is not for nothing that the United Nations declare this year the Year of Glass. Today officially, in Geneva. They think glass should receive much more attention. Because if you think carefully: where do you not see glass? “A glass of water, your car windows, fiberglass, your phone screen, the possibilities are endless,” said Seubring.

He is now the only master glass polisher in the country and is more than proud of his profession. “It has become a craft. Not only because there is so much work involved, also because I suddenly seem to be a dying breed. And I really hope to prevent that with all my might.”

The glass city – if corona allows it – will go all out with the Year of Glass. “Glass is still central to Leerdam,” says Laurens Geurtz of the National Glass Museum. “It is the only place in the Netherlands where glass has such a major role. There are certainly other places where they make glass, but how things have been going on here in Leerdam for 250 years is unique. That is the capital of glass. ”

In order – as he himself says – to draw extra attention to the splendor of glass, a city park is transformed into a glass park, for example, and international glassblowers are invited to show their blowing skills. “The craft of glass blowing and grinding is under pressure. We need attention for that. So this helping hand from the UN is just around the corner.”

Leerdam is too modest, says Bettina Sommer. She works with several glassblowers in Leerdam. “If you come from Leerdam, you know how famous glass is. But outwardly we are not so exuberant. With so many blowers and studios, we have something special in our hands, and more people should know that.”

Art will be placed on the houses in the new residential area and the well-known Glass Days are planned for September. When other activities continue depends on corona. “At least everything is ready,” said Arine Gijsbers of the Tussen Lek en Linge foundation. “We have created a children’s route through the city, among other things. Then they can search for glass objects in the city. And of course we hope to be able to organize the Glass Days again, where glass galleries and artists come together.”

Master sharpener Albert really only hopes for one thing this year: to find a successor. “Come and see how fantastic this profession is. Then you really fall in love with it immediately. And oh yes, then you also save an age-old craft.”