Finally on a rather warm Tuesday, 5 September 2023, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands returned to the Province of Groningen. She had two engagements. First she visited the Campus Eemsdelta in Appingedam to talk about the mental health of young people, one of her main subjects in the past few years. One in three young people in the province of Groningen experiences poor psychosocial health. Compared to the rest of the Netherlands, Groningen has a relatively high use of youth aid and long-term assistance trajectories, for instance due to poverty and earthquake problems. The Queen was informed about several Groninger initiatives to improve the situation and the mutual cooperation between organizations.
It would have been very interesting seeing Queen Máximas involvement in mental health. However, I received a rejection. Instead, I was accepted to be present at her second engagement: the opening of the 2023-2024 college year at the Hanzehogeschool in Groningen. 225 years ago the first class was taught at the then Academy of Drawing, Construction and Naval Studies.
The Queen managed to arrive at the Van OlstBorg in the outskirts of Groningen city in time. While outside there weren’t many too many onlookers, inside quite a few people were waiting to see her. Upon arrival, Máxima was first given a short tour of the Art Boulevard. Works of art by some graduates of Academy Minerva were on display there. She spoke for quite a while with Beth Wong and Charlie Holper and on her way through the hall also shortly admired another piece of art.
The official, plenary programme starting with a musical performance composed especially for the occasion by the Lucia Marthas Institute for Performing Arts and the Prince Claus Conservatoire: Blend. Several students and people who had worked at the school were remembered. The chairman of the Executive Board, Dick Pouwels, gave a word of welcome, after which Queen Máxima opened the academic year.
I was pleasantly surprised not to hear much of an accent. She just spoke so fast, definitely the influence of Spanish, that she regularly tripped over her words. Máxima said that it was “a pleasure to be with you this afternoon on this special day, in a special year”, a year in which more than 100.000 students started their studies. In a slight connection with the theme, she had spoken about in Appingedam earlier that day, she remembered:
“A new study environment, the search for a student room, new subjects, new teachers, getting to know new friends. It can be quite uncertain. So keep believing in yourself! It doesn’t all have to be perfect from day one. Give yourself space and time to find your own rhythm. And embrace the adventure.”
She furthermore mentioned how hard the skills the students are learning are needed in the labour market. Of course, she also wished everybody a lot of success. The Henk Pijlman Innovation Award was then be presented to a student with the most effective and innovative solutions for the field in question. The chairman of the National Committee 4 and 5 May, Wim van de Donk, closed the meeting with a speech on reciprocity in society.
Afterwards, Queen Máxima spoke with several students and their professors about developments in practice-based research in their field of work: the climate tree; welfare of young people and the use of renewable natural resources. The Queen again took her time and listened intensively. After the visit, Queen Máxima left the building. Outside, a woman was waiting with a small present for her: a Groninger cake. When I shortly afterwards told her, that the cake is very delicious, Máxima looked at me and said: “I fear so.” There was also a group of students, that seemed to be monarchists. They managed to have some photos made with the Queen. Looking somewhat tired, Máxima then stepped into her car to go home. One last wave, and the visit was over.