2023 Winter Market from the Muziekgebouw Eindhoven
On December 9, 2023, Radio 4 Brainport broadcasted a live show from the heart of Eindhoven’s Muziekgebouw, set against the bustling backdrop of the Cultural and Creative Winter Market. As the chill of a December day was palpably felt outside, the warmth inside the venue was mirrored in the atmosphere created by a unique blend of creativity, culture, and conversation.
A reviewer, journalist, and language teacher, Chaitali had a long career in the corporate world. However, she never stopped with her passion for writing. Chaitali Sengupta writes and translates fiction, non-fiction, and poems.
Chaitali’s latest book, titled “The Crossings,” takes a deep dive into the experiences of migration and exploration.
Karry Vij’s second guest is Raghav Mehra is a Delhi-based interior designer.. The 30 year old was mentored by India’s finest fashion designer Rohit Bal and film set designer Rupin suchak in the beginning of his professional career. In his spare time his creativity flirts with fashion and art. Raghav’s touch expands beyond interiors to designing weddings and exhibitions as well. Raghav founded GAD & REK in the year 2020 and since then, it has been delivering homes, spaces, and everything beautiful
Karry Vij’s: Third guest, Ineke Hurkmans is an entrepreneur, innovator and pioneer. She is owner of Jump Movement, which is a company that provides projects and programs for both organizations as well as social topics.She is a mom, grandmother and DJ. Her mission is to create spaces where people are being seen, heard, and acknowledged. Her second project – Burst your Bubble is a program that connects people in their ‘bubbles’. the pilot project takes place in Eindhoven, where we aim to burst the bubbles between internationals and locals. Let’s listen to Ineke about her new project.
Andrea Potgieter Richardson hosted the second afternoon slot, welcoming various fascinating guests from the Market. First up was Lev Auzarg, who shared an insightful exploration of Christmas markets across Western Europe. His vivid descriptions transported listeners straight to the festive stalls and twinkling lights of these iconic winter wonderlands.
Next, Rashmi Bopha from ‘Teapotterariums’ added a touch of green to the wintry scene. Her passion for crafting miniature terrariums and intricate ecosystems living within tiny teapots captivated the audience. These delightful creations, Rashmi explained, symbolize the delicate balance of nature and the joy of nurturing life in small spaces.
The program then took an artistic turn with Vere Dijkstra, known affectionately as ‘De Veertjeskoningin.’ Vere’s unique craft of transforming bicycle tubes into upcycled “trashure” jewelry resonated with the market’s ethos of sustainability and creativity. Her work, a blend of environmental consciousness and artistic expression, highlighted the hidden beauty in everyday objects.
The segment concluded with Laura Ortiz from Onward Somatic Coaching, who brought a sense of calm and mindfulness to the festive frenzy. Laura emphasized the importance of somatic practices, especially for women, in maintaining mental and physical well-being during the hectic holiday season. Her insights provided a timely reminder of the need for self-care and presence amidst the seasonal hustle and bustle.
As Andrea’s show wrapped up, the fusion of ideas, art, and mindfulness left the listeners with a sense of enriched understanding and appreciation for the diverse ways the festive season can be celebrated and experienced. Radio 4 Brainport’s program at the Muziekgebouw highlighted its guests’ talents and the vibrant cultural tapestry of Eindhoven, all while offering a cozy respite on a cold December day.
The 3rd live hour from the Winter Marker, hosted by Ralu Nistor-Lustermans, had a couple of very interesting guest, including a special visit from Eindhoven burgemeester Jeroen Dijsselbloem, who came to visit the International Winter Market, and stop for a short interview with us @ Radio 4 Brainport, to share with us his take aways from the international winter traditions and his own traditions during this period of the year.
We kicked off the hour with a short interview with Sandra Placent, who is an Italian architect and interior designed, who has a passion for developing living spaces which connect people to their roots while living abroad.
Our next guest was Vlad Niculescu-Dinca, the Director, and Founder of the Romanian School in Eindhoven, who spoke about Romanian winter traditions and the activities the Romanian school organised at the winter market.
We learned more about the Toastmasters organisation, from Kunal Waghray, who has a passion not only for public speaking but also for being a stand-up comedian.
While waiting for Jeroen Dijsselbloem to join us, our radio linguist, Bart Bruijnen, delighted us with his poem dedicated to Jeroen.
Listen to the full hour to get all the insights from our special guests.