De Tempeleers: guardians of the Maastricht carnival

As it happens, I was born and raised with the carnival feeling and like many other Maastrichters, I don’t know otherwise that the carnival association De Tempeleers goes hand in hand with the Maastricht carnival. But how many of us know who are the Tempeleers exactly? And what does it mean to be a Tempeleer in Maastricht?

“We are a city organisation,” explains Peter Reijnders, President of De Tempeleers. “We serve the city by electing a suitable carnival Prince and by organising all kinds of carnival activities. And we serve the Prince.” Boy Olivers, a veteran Tempeleer, solemnly agrees: “We are the true and faithful servants of the carnival Prince of Maastricht.”

The two men have enthusiastically responded to my invitation for an interview and we are sitting together over a cup of coffee and some chocolates.

Peter Reijnders tells me that he joined De Tempeleers after officiating as Maastricht’s carnival Prince in 2000. Four years ago, he made a big promotion when he became the President of the association. “He was chosen unanimously!” Boy Olivers proudly points out.

Boy is the quintessential Tempeleer: he has been a member for 43 years and is still not planning to quit. Through the years he has served as treasurer, secretary-general and Chancery member.

“Most people immediately link the name of our association to the Templars,” Peter says, “but this is wrong.” The association of De Tempeleers originates from the Momus Society (1839-1939), who used to meet in the so-called Momus Temple. When a committee of the Momus Society decided to establish a specific carnival association, it was called after the people meeting in the Temple: “De Tempeleers”.

“Once a Tempeleer, always a Tempeleer!”
In contrast to the carnival Prince, members of De Tempeleers do not necessarily have to be born and raised in Maastricht. When a Tempeleer secretly nominates a new candidate, all other members judge whether he “fits” within the club and in what way his knowledge/experience might be beneficial. If De Tempeleers need someone with juridical knowledge and the candidate happens to be a lawyer and to “fit” within the association, chances are big that he will be accepted.

Upon becoming a member, the new Tempeleer receives a nickname. Peter’s nickname is “loepke” (pocket lens), a humourous reference to his former work as police investigator. Boy’s nickname is “bäörske” (wallet) because he started his Tempeleer career as second treasurer. Unfortunately however, these nicknames are seldom used.

A Tempeleer is released from his duties upon when he reaches the age of 65, but he will keep his membership. “Unless he prefers to stay active like Boy,” Peter laughs. “Our motto is: once a Tempeleer always a Tempeleer! Until the very last drop of blood!” Boy exclaims.

It is a well known fact in Maastricht that all Tempeleers are very proud of their membership and show a lot of passion for the association and for carnival. These factors are most certainly the key to the success of their association.

I am curious to know how much time is involved in the preparation of Maastricht’s carnival. Both Peter and Boy say that it is impossible to answer this question properly but confirm that they are busy throughout the whole year since most of the work is done during the “quiet” season. The workload gets higher after the official start of the carnival season on November 11th. The four weeks before carnival are simply hectic.

“How do you combine this with your job as chief superintendent of police?” I ask Peter. “It all depends on what needs to be done and my possibilities,” he answers, adding: “Fortunately, we can count on some self-employed workers who can make themselves available if necessary.”

Peter and Boy say that Tempeleers are shown great respect, and not only during carnival. Complete strangers start talking to them upon recognition. On some occasions, Tempeleers will even receive a special treatment. “The membership gives us easy access when we buy something (no need for advance payment!), or when we are introduced to someone or admitted somewhere,” Boy explains. “And sometimes I do use it privately”, he declares with a big smile on his face.

It often happens that a Tempeleer is asked to join other associations as well. Some Tempeleers, including Boy, are members of the foundation called “‘t Graaf vaan Sint Servaos” (Grave of Saint Servatius), which organises the Heiligdomsvaart (Showing of the Relics) every seven years. “Other associations like to benefit from the Tempeleers’ knowledge and contacts”, Boy says, “and we are proud to help.”

When I inquire whether Tempeleers mention their membership on their curriculum vitae, our talk suddenly becomes serious. “Yes, it is written down on my cv,” Peter says. “But whether this will help depends on where you apply. If it is at a Limburg firm with a Limburg management, it will give you more prestige because everyone here knows about De Tempeleers and the meaning of carnival. But if it is for a job outside this region, it might be better not to mention it because carnival might be interpreted as a bacchanal,” he sadly explains.

Cooperation with other carnival associations
Peter informs me that all Maastricht’s carnival associations, including De Tempeleers, are united in the “samewerrekende Mestreechter Vastelaovesvereiniginge” (Cooperation of the Maastricht Carnival Associations). An important item on the SMV’s agenda is the planning of the dates when each association is to announce its prince.

Most of Maastricht’s carnival associations are present at the announcement of the Maastricht Prince. It is a custom for associations to show each other mutual respect, which would be a hard thing to do if they would all reveal their respective prince on the same day. The SMV is also in charge of the “Mestreechs Vastelaovendsleedsje Konkoer” (Maastricht Carnival Songcontest).

I learn that there also exists a regional cooperation of all carnival associations in charge of city princes: the “samewirkende Limburgse Vastelaovesvereniginge”. The SLV awards the “orde van de Gulden Humor”, a decoration given to an important national personality. This year’s medal went to the Dutch minister of Economic Affairs, Mrs. Maria van der Hoeven, who lives in Maastricht.

SLV board members visit the annual meetings of the affiliated associations to stay informed about their activities or to award medals. “A board can nominate a member of its association for a medal,” Peter explains. “But it is the association itself that must pay for the medal,” he adds laughing.

Carnival is celebrated in the neighbouring province of Brabant and across the borders in Belgium and in western Germany as well. Even there the Maastricht Tempeleers are well-known.

De Tempeleers have established some informal connections with the Oeteldonk’s carnival association in Brabant. In the province of Brabant it is customary for cities to have a different name during carnival. Oeteldonk is the carnivalesque name for the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

De Tempeleers also keep friendly contacts with the C.V. De Hesselierkes, the carnival association of Hasselt, Belgium. A delegation from Hasselt will be in Maastricht on carnival Tuesday and a delegation from De Tempeleers will return the visit halfway through the Lent when carnival is celebrated there.

The contacts with the carnival association Dülke (Germany) date back to the former days when both associations had “the order of the windmill” as well as a kind of Narren University (see the article De Mestreechteneer). It has become an annual tradition for the Tempeleers to be invited to a carnivalesque hearing during which a decoration is awarded to a “German celebrity or professor,” Boy explains.

Boy cannot conceal his feeling of pride as we talk. “All eyes are looking at Maastricht for its famous carnival. And at De Tempeleers because of its high reputation,” he chuckles.

About “habsjaar” and “kretserij”
Although not many people may be aware of it, the association is actually a very serious organisation with a precise structure and protocols. But of course the spirit of carnival is present everywhere, from the names of the various titles within the association to the award medals and badges.

De Tempeleers currently have 37 members. There are also about one hundred so-called “börgermètwèrkers” (assisting citizens). Peter says that the association could not do without them.

Of course, the association has a board formed by a “prizzedent” (president), a “vice-prizzedent” (vice-president), a “kretser” (secretary), a “habsjaar” (treasurer), and the presidents of the committees. Incidentally, it is funny to know that a “habsjaar” is actually the dialect word for a miser.

There is an easy way to find out a Tempeleer’s function if you meet one during carnival. All Tempeleers wear a plaquette around their neck, but the plaquette of the president is extended with a “plate with hammer”, that of the vice-president with a “hammer”, that of the secretary with a “crown pen” and that of the treasurer with a “pocket”.

A former prince, who would now be a Tempeleer, can be recognised through the princely star plus the princely badge on his dress suit.

The association includes several committees. The “kemissie boetegebäöre” (committee for outdoor activities) organises the parades and deals with all necessary licences. It also coordinates the announcement of the Prince as well as the “Zaate Herremeniekes Konkoer” (drunken band contest).

The “kemissie Binnegebäöre” (committee for indoor activities) organises among other things the various festivities for children and the Prince’s Grand Gala. Furthermore there is the financial committee, the public relations committee, the “kretserij” (secretariat), and the “Kanselarijraod” (Chancery) of which Boy Olivers is a member.

Kanselarijraod (Chancery)
Since Boy is a member of the Chancery I take the opportunity to find out more about the responsibilities and activities of this committee.

“The Chancery is in charge of protocols”, Boy explains. Some of the most important responsibilities include the choice and the game of secrecy around the carnival Prince, and the choice and production of the medals. One committee member is appointed “medaaljelesjatbewaorder” (treasurer of medals), another one is “sirremoniemeister” (master of ceremony) who speaks on behalf of the carnival goers during the “sleuteleuverdrach” (the handing over the city hall key to the Prince Carnival), while the “sikkertaris-ginneraol” (secretary-general) is in charge of the organisation of all the Prince’s visits. Peter immediately points out that this is a huge and very under-estimated task. “It is a hell of a job considering the amount of requests and everything that needs to be arranged,” Peter declares with clear appreciation in his voice. He continues: “All the requests for visits need to be planned in the Prince’s agenda. The secretary-general must appoint Tempeleers to accompany the Prince during each visit (the so-called “Raod vaan Ellef” (the Board of Eleven)). He also arranges transportation for the Prince as well as for the Raod vaan Ellef, etc.” Just to give an idea, about 280 visits are being planned each year!

At every visit at least one medal is awarded to a person who in one way or another promotes the carnival of Maastricht, the city’s dialect or the city itself. These persons are usually recommended by the organisers of the visit. However, the Tempeleers and the Prince are also entitled to decide whom to award.

Things get even more precise, because Boy tells me that there are different kinds of medals: the princely medal and the Tempeleers medal. The Tempeleers medal has distinctions in grades. The “lowest” is the rank “Ridder” (Knight), followed by “Offeseer” (Officer), “Commandeur” (Commander), and “Groet-Offeseer” (Grand Officer). “And if you think that all these medals are given in de order of De Tempeleers, you are completely wrong!” says Boy, who explains that each year a new “order” is made up. “That’s also a task for the Chancery,” he notes. “We usually come up with something linked to the dialect, literature or indirectly linked to something which happened in the city.” I remember indeed that a Tempeleer medal was once handed out in the order of the “bokkesprunk” (leapfrog). Last year it was the order of the “geplökde hin” (plucked chicken) and the princely medal was in the order of the mask.

During the Sleuteleuverdrach (handing over of the city key) the Tempeleers also award medals to national politicians who have been invited by the mayor. These personalities,
mostly ministers or state secretaries, will first be awarded the plaquette “Groet-Offeseer met tuike” (Grand Officer with rope), implying that the Tempeleers couldn’t afford a real “kèttel” (chain). If the same personality is invited again to attend the Sleuteleuverdrach the following year, s/he will receive the plaquette “Groet-Offeseer met kèttel” (with chain)- more expensive indeed!

Considering that about 1200 princely medals and 450 medals are handed out during each carnival season, it is clear that they represent a big financial post for De Tempeleers association. Not to mention the “spengskes en knäöpkes” (badges and buttons) which are made especially for children. To save costs the medals are being produced in China since 2006.

Boy reveals that someone once was awarded half a medal. “We actually cut the medal in two,” he laughs, “because the receiver was not considered good enough yet for a complete one. All a joke, of course.”

Protecteurs (protectors)
The association receives support from 13 so-called protectors. These are not members, but important personalities in Maastricht like the mayor and the President of the university’s Executive Board. Their role is to protect carnival in the broadest sense. Peter explains: “It gets more and more complicated to organise activities because of the licences that are needed for every activity. Having a protecteur in the city hall can be of assistance. In a big company, a protecteur might be able to convince the executive board to allow staff members to take a two day leave for carnival, something that might not happen automatically otherwise. Especially since firms as ENCI, Sappi, Sphinx have been taken over by international managements.” Some protecteurs are also important for the association through their financial support, whether in offering facilities, goods or cash.

Carnival is here to stay!
“Carnival in Maastricht is a cultural heritage with strong roots,” Peter states with conviction. “It will always be celebrated, even without the Tempeleers. We might have to adapt to new developments but tradition will always be the keyword.”

Naturally, there is one issue De Tempeleers would rather not change and that is giving up their Prince for a Princess: “Out of tradition De Tempeleers is a male organisation and as far as I can predict it will stay that way,” Peter says. He immediately adds: “But I cannot look into the future ……” Boy argues that there is a Princess, she is “the Prince’s wife!”. He is right, but as far as I know, she stays mostly in the background… To be honest, even as a woman, I actually don’t mind having either a Prince or a Princess. Worse still, I might even get jealous if De Tempeleers would decide to elect a Princess and then choose for someone else instead of me!

Dialect… and English
The Tempeleers association’s website has been adjusted to the international atmosphere in Maastricht since its homepage is available in English, German and French. “Unfortunately, it would be too expensive to translate all the content into all three languages,” Peter says, “but we are considering a complete English version.”

For many years I gave a presentation in English about the Maastricht carnival, especially for foreign students at the university. After some time, to my great pleasure, the Prince of Maastricht and members of the Tempeleers started participating in my talk as well. This was a new experience for them and I was impressed by the efforts they made to please the audience. On one occasion, Tempeleer Wim Fischer translated the Maastricht poem De Mestreechteneer into English and performed it on stage. Another year I challenged them to translate that year’s carnival song into English. Not only did they do it, but they also sang it. Including the Prince!

Considering that De Tempeleers say and write down everything in the Maastricht dialect it was undoubtedly a great step for them to switch to English for carnivalesque activities. My experience has taught me that they don’t mind adjusting to Dutch or English, but they will only do so if necessary. For example, until a few years ago the Prince was not allowed to speak in any other language than the Maastricht dialect. So when the Tempeleers first attended my lecture the Prince had to speak in Maastricht dialect. To my surprise the following year the Prince was allowed to say a few words in English!

Nowadays De Tempeleers give this annual lecture themselves assisted by Studium Generale at Maastricht University in order to get foreign nationals interested and involved in the Maastricht carnival. The entrance is free for everyone.

Moreover, Peter invites expatriates” clubs to contact the secretary-general if they wish to organise a princely visit or a presentation about carnival by a member of De Tempeleers. If the activity can fit into their agenda the Tempeleers will surely accept!

By Marleen Vara

Marleen Vara, born and raised in Maastricht, has been working at the Maastricht University for more than 24 years. Currently she is working at the Faculty of Law. She is a real carnival enthusiast and likes sharing the Maastricht culture with everyone.

Carnival 2008 agenda

(source: The Tempeleers website)

Sunday January 6, 2008
Proclamation of the Prince of Carnival 2008 on the market square at 3.11 pm.

Friday February 1, 2008
Carnival at all schools in Maastricht.

Saturday February 2, 2008
1.11 p.m. Arrival of Prince of Carnival at the Central Railway Station.
Parade between Railway Station and the City Hall at 1.55 pm.
3.00 p.m. Reception at the City Hall where some ministers from the Central Government of the Netherlands, the Provincial Commissioner of the Queen and the Mayor of Maastricht are present. (invitation only).
7.33 p.m. Reception at the City Theatre

Sunday February 3, 2008
10.33 a.m. Ceremony at the “Palace” (home) of the Prince.
12.11 p.m. Official Opening of Carnival with eleven gunshots on the “Vrijthof”
1.44 p.m. Big parade in the city center.
After the parade Carnival in all streets and all pubs of the city center, up to 03.00 a.m.

Monday February 4, 2008
Parade of the children and families in the city center. During and after the parade, Carnival in all streets, squares and pubs, up to 03.00 a.m. next.

Tuesday February 5, 2008
2.11 p.m. Contest for all bands, brass-bands, etc. (up to about 5.00 p.m.)
3.11 p.m. Costume contest for children in “Festi-Village”.
During and after these events, Carnival in all streets, (see Sunday and Monday)
11.55 p.m. “Official” end of Carnival, but pubs remain open up to 02.00 a.m.

Related articles on Crossroads:

• “De Mestreechteneer”, a poem by Bèr Essers
• Maastricht Carnival Song 2008: “Dao kump Maria”
• “Carnival is a feeling”
• The history of carnival in Maastricht
• Madness in Mestreech: a carnival lexicon
• Carnival parade in my village