In both Germany and the Netherlands, many Frisians have watched with unease as waves of referenda and separatist movements have swept across Europe and beyond in recent years — Quebec, Scotland, Kurdistan, Catalonia, Padania, and Ambazonia, to name only a few. At the same time, entire peoples such as the Yazidis and the Rohingya haveContinue reading “Leeuwarden, European Capital of Exiled Governments”
Author Archives: hans faber
A Terp for Choquequirao, Peru
Why in heaven’s name should a terp be constructed in the Andes? To be more precise, the location for this terp is at the remote, archaeological Inca site Choquequirao in Peru. The answer to the question is not too difficult. The idea was inspired by the monument at the Tsjitsma terp near the village ofContinue reading “A Terp for Choquequirao, Peru”
Terrorist Fighters from the Wadden Sea. The Era of the Crusades
When it comes to the deradicalization of foreign terrorist fighters in modern Western societies, the Frisians — meaning here the present-day regions of Ostfriesland and Land Wursten in Germany, and the provinces of Friesland and Groningen in the Netherlands — have neither a strong track record nor notable expertise to offer. Their only meaningful contributionContinue reading “Terrorist Fighters from the Wadden Sea. The Era of the Crusades”
“My God, the Germans Bought All the Bread!” Cried Moira
The essence of the Frisia Coast Trail is hiking through the heartland of (former) Frisia and to taste the landscape, its history, its culture and to meet its people. Every now and then the Frisian bastards hike trails that cut through heartlands of other minority cultures. Hiking the illustrious Cape Wrath Trail in the upperContinue reading ““My God, the Germans Bought All the Bread!” Cried Moira”
Lodging Etiquette in Ostfriesland. Land of the First Legally Blondes
Imagine you are hiking the Frisia Coast Trail in northwest Germany. After a long day of walking and searching for shelter, you try your luck at a private home. Before the owner agrees to let you stay the night, you may first be asked to show your silver. And, as if pressing an early versionContinue reading “Lodging Etiquette in Ostfriesland. Land of the First Legally Blondes”
What’s Hip and Happening on the Grasslands?
How do Frisians spend their time off? Frisians in the Netherlands must have plenty of it, as job prospects are among the lowest in the country. In addition, those who do have a job do not lose precious hours to traffic jams every day, unlike people in the cities further south. Inhabitants of the provinceContinue reading “What’s Hip and Happening on the Grasslands?”
manual — Making a Terp in Only 12 Steps
This is your DIY manual for enlarging or creating your own terp — an artificial settlement mound or house platform designed to protect against sea or river floods, depending on where it is built. Although terps have been constructed on the tidal marshlands of the Wadden Sea for over 2,600 years, this manual is theContinue reading “manual — Making a Terp in Only 12 Steps”
Medieval Migration Law. A Matter of Liability
Hwasa thene vthemeda husath ieftha howath ieftha oppa sinne werf set, sa skel hi thes wachtia, hwetsa hi deth. Who receives a foreigner in his house or in his court or seats on his yard, shall be responsible for all that he does. This is codified law from around 1250, known as the Brookmerbrief. LiterallyContinue reading “Medieval Migration Law. A Matter of Liability”
Walking on the Sea. Experience It! (With Care)
Mud flats are treacherous. Yes, the Wadden Sea stretching along the coasts of Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands is UNESCO protected. We support that. But when hiking the Frisia Coast Trail and you go walkabout on its flats at low tide, do so with the utmost care because UNESCO does not give you protection. “ItContinue reading “Walking on the Sea. Experience It! (With Care)”
How to Recognize the Frisians by Name?
This is one of the simplest things there is, once you’ve got the hang of it. ‘A child can do the laundry,’ they literally say in the Dutch language. This has nothing to do with a history of child labour, by the way. Understanding the logic of Frisian personal names is essential if you wantContinue reading “How to Recognize the Frisians by Name?”
Frisia Coast Trail 