Aaltje Kraak
Aaltje Kraak | |
|---|---|
| Born | Aaltje Cramer 17th century |
| Died | 18th century Dutch Republic |
| Other names | Aaltje Otten[1] |
| Known for | Causing the 1708 city fire in Hardenberg |
Aaltje Cramer-Kraak (born: mid-17th century - died: 18 century), also known as Aaltje Otten, was a Dutch woman from Hardenberg. She accidentally caused the major 1708 Hardenberg city fire where much of the city burned down.[1]
Over 300 years later she is still being commemorated with among others an annual “Aaltje Kraak Day” and a bronze statue in the city.
Personal life
Kraak was born as Aaltje Cramer around the mid-17th century. She had the name Aaltje Cramer-Kraak after her marriage to Berend Cramer. They had at least one son who was a skipper's boy. After the death of her husband she lived as of 1708 as an old widow in Hardenberg.[1] After the 1708 city fire she continued to live in Hardenberg.
1708 Hardenberg city fire
On the evening of 8 May 1708 she accidentally caused the 1908 Hardenberg city fire. There are two stories about what happened. One is said that she held a burning oil lamp too close to the reed roof.[2] The other story is she went to mend her son's "hoozen" (pants) and for this she needed some scraps of cloth that were in the closet-bed. She illuminated her search with a candle or candlestick, which caused the bed to catch fire.[3][4] Despite desperate attempts to extinguish the fire, the house quickly burned down.[1]
The city of 105 houses[3] completely burned down within two hours, except for around three houses, the church and school. There were no casualties, primarily because people were able to escape the city quickly.[5][6]
After a fundraising campaign and through the determination and solidarity of the citizens, everyone received a new house. Kraak was not cast out, but thanks to the fundraising and various donations, she was given her own place in Hardenberg.[7]
Commemoration of Kraak
In 2008, 300 years after the fire, “Aaltje Kraak Day” has been established as an annual commemoration day in Hardenberg on 8 May.[8]
For the 650th anniversary of Hardenberg, a bronze statue of Aaltje Kraak was unveiled, made by artist Geke Dijkhuis. It is located on the Wilhelmina square, near the Stephanuskerk (Stephanus Church).[7] The same year Bart Kuijer wrote a song titled "Aaltje Kraak".[9]
References
- ^ a b c d "Toen, op 08 mei 1708: De grote brand van Hardenberg". Historische Projecten (in Dutch). 8 May 2016. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ Pullen, A.C.A., Wandelroute (Jews) Historical Hardenberg, 2003
- ^ a b "Aaltje Kraak legt Hardenberg in de as". ND.nl. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ www.kunstinhardenberg.nl
- ^ History Hardenberg on www.hardenberg.nl
- ^ Hardenberg commemorates ancient city fire on www.architectenweb.nl. Archived on November 16, 2016.
- ^ a b "Hardenbergs icoon "Aaltje Kraak"". Winkelstad Hardenberg.
- ^ "Bronzen beeld Aaltje Kraak". De Stentor. 21 January 2012. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ "Ballade van Aaltje Kraak". Historische Vereniging Hardenberg e.o. – via mijnstadmijndorp.nl.