By chance, Stadhuisplein lies on the route taken by the ten-year-old twins Lucia and Thijm van Veldhuijzen and their father. The activities organized by Demos attract their attention and they adapt their (shopping) plans. Lucia is very pleased with the blue and green fantasy pattern that a student has painted on her face, and Thijm is getting his breath back after a game of 'paddle hockey'. After half an hour they go on their way. “It was fun,” says Thijm.

To friends Linda Kruijer and Carola Beemsterboer it also comes as a surprise to find themselves at a lustrum party given by Demos. When they boarded the train in the province of North Holland this morning with four children in tow (they live in Kalverdijk), and headed south, they had no idea where they were going. “We let fate decide,” says Kruijer, “we do something like this every year close to Liberation Day. We got off in Eindhoven. After we had lit some candles in the church - the Catharinakerk -  we were told about this party by some students and now we are here.” The mothers play a card game (not klaverjassen) while two daughters have their faces painted.

Facebook

Mom Wendy de Jager decided to come to the City Day. “I saw it on Facebook and my son is always keen to play laser tag.” She knows why this day has been organized: “It's to celebrate a student association being so many years old.”

That student association has now closed the doors of its society, “because today we aren't meeting,” says Nick van Garderen, co-organizer of the City Day. Many members have helped to prepare the hockey pitches, the bouncy castle and the outdoor cafe, and to entertain visitors. The turnout is not that big, but Van Garderen is very pleased. “It has been well worth organizing. I am happy to see that everyone is enjoying themselves.”

First time

Student Jean Ormiston, also a member of the organizing team, and today responsible for first aid, has discovered a point they can learn from. “It may well be a good idea to personally invite certain people. Such as the mayor and TU/e’s Executive Board. And when it comes to advertising, you really need to work with the municipal council so that, for instance, posters are put up along the roads. But hey, this is the first time we've organized a day like this, we're learning a few things.”

In the evening, when Het Bandje, Barosz and DJ Zovoz provide the music, it still isn't very busy in Stadhuisplein. But it is fun.

Photo | Kunal Datta