The images of Dutch supporters bobbing up and down (from left…to right…) in the streets of Leipzig and Berlin are going around the world. Alette was asked by Dutch television EditieNL to comment on this: what does this say about our Dutch culture? And could the song also break through in other parts of Europe? A short blog.
There are indeed a few ingredients in this Snollebollekes phenomenon, which do fit well into Dutch culture. One of the reasons why this song is still doing well after nine years is probably because everyone can participate. The Dutch love “participating,” it is an important source of motivation. At the meeting, everyone wants to contribute and ‘do their pee-pee on it’, as the Dutch say. Saturday morning, during the soccer match of the children, the Dutch tell them: ‘participating is more important than winning’. And the endless consensus seeking meetings in this participatory society is of all times. Taking part and participating in this jumping from left to right, is just super fun.
Besides, it’s nice and simple. Nothing complicated, no elegant hip movements or graceful arms in the air: nice and ordinary and down to earth a little jumping back and forth. It’s anti-elitist, you might say, delightfully folksy.
And finally, the Dutch are also pretty good at building a party. Of course it is about soccer, but the whole party around it is just as important. In other words, the Dutch are fairly hedonistic, despite the Calvinistic nature of a part of the Netherlands. The people have to work hard, but there must also be time to let go and celebrate.
Is this phenomenon then exportable to the rest of Europe? I venture to doubt it. In Northern Europe it might still have a chance. Germany, for example, has similar music in its Schlagers. During this European Championship we have also seen the Scots party well and last time it was the sympathetic and singing Irish who stood out. These are countries with less hierarchy, where equality is of great value and people are not ashamed of the down-to-earth nature of such a song and its accompanying movement.
Going into southern Europe, I can’t imagine the French, Italians or Spaniards hopping from left to right… The French are perhaps too posh for it…. and the Italians too elegant? There may be passion and the famous Southern European temperament, but it is mainly focused on soccer itself, on the game and less on building a party before the game has even started.
At the same time, of course, it remains soccer and when a country has won, supporters will celebrate and jump, no matter where they come from.
