Members of Hofila and heemkring De Markgraaf present the book with alderman Lambrecht and author Jelle Simons. — © Filip Spoelders
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From now on, small Hove has a link with the metropolis of New York. The book 750 years of Hove – History of our village in the world was written there by author and historian Jelle Simons.
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Filip Spoelders
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After five months of collecting and writing, the books were delivered to Hove one day before the performance. “In terms of tension, this can count, but we are very satisfied with the result,” says Alderman for Heritage, Gerda Lambrecht (N-VA). “It was Hugo Peerlinck of collectors’ club Hofila who gave the impetus to do research around 750 years of Hove. The previous anniversary book dates from 1957. An update was certainly in order.”
Ten folders
Hugo provided Hoof’s communications officer Davy Verbeeck with ten folders with information about Hove’s history. “Davy started proofreading, rewriting and further researching the texts. This resulted in 150 pages, but while proofing, we found that it had to be done differently. We didn’t want a scientific reference book about Hove, but a book that encourages people to want to know and read more about our municipality.”
After a search for outside help, the Dutch author and historian Jelle Simons came into the story. “I grew up in a village below Rotterdam and now live just outside New York City, where the book was written. I immediately found the interaction between Hove and the large city of Antwerp very interesting. Compared to Rotterdam and New York, Antwerp has a much longer history. I’ve looked through the past at what has happened in the world to see how these events impacted Hove. This is how we proceeded while the extensive preparatory work helped me a lot,” explains author Simons.
New lock
He had to adjust the ending of the book as a last resort. “Just like Europe, Hove has also had turbulent years. However, I wanted to close with a few words about a bustling Hove in a Europe that has found its peace without war. But then came Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I immediately approached Davy Verbeeck to adjust it. The support of the Court of Appeal for Ukrainian refugees is now part of the closing.”
The book costs 20 euros and is for sale at the municipal services.
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