Real Doetinchemmers
Of course we want to show the King and all of the Netherlands our beautiful Doetinchem during King’s Day. That is why we are making portraits of ‘Real Doetinchemians’. They told us what for them is the real Doetinchem.
Until King’s Day on April 26, 2025, more and more Real Doetinchemmers will appear on this page. And eventually they will be bundled in a book. You can also view all the portraits on Facebook and Instagram.
Yuri
Wife Maryse on Yuri: “Yuri worked at Gringo’s for many years and pretty much belonged to the interior. He stole many hearts of dear customers and friends there. And eventually my heart too … or I his. He can still regularly be found on Grutstraat where he enjoys socializing with acquaintances, friends and former customers.
The special thing is that Yuri, like his sister Diana, fled Georgia. But since their arrival, he has taken the Netherlands and especially Doetinchem into his heart. He even drives with an old portrait of Beatrix in his car, knows just about everyone in Doetinchem and can already speak quite a bit of flat!
Mechteld
Mechteld: “I feel at home in Doetinchem. Like my parents, I was born and raised there. And I still live there! I went to school in Doetinchem, have been playing volleyball with the most beautiful volleyball club for over 25 years and have been working at Partner in Pet Food (formerly Mervo products) for almost 20 years. I am partly responsible for “the traveling dog” which is painted on the silo at Partner in Pet Food and has now become an eye-catcher of Doetinchem!
My favorite spot? That’s the Saap Roelofs bicycle bridge, next to the railroad over the Oude IJssel. From the bridge you have a view of the center of Doetinchem with the windmill and the church tower on one side. And if you look in the other direction, you can see ‘the traveling dog’.
Anna
Anna: ‘I was born and raised in the north of the Netherlands and came to Doetinchem 14 years ago for love. His name is Martijn: born and raised in Doetinchem. Now, many years later, I am still happy with our 2 girls and our cat in our palace in the beautiful green district Overstegen. We are happy to live in this urban village where everything is close by. Our favorite spot, and certainly mine, is Beachclub Stroombroek. Gazing for hours over the water and enjoying the sun, together with the children at the place where our lives officially began together…. A beautiful, special place with many great memories. A place where for a moment you have the feeling of being in another place….
Henk & Geertje
Henk: “As Schöneveld neighborhood liaison, I try to bring people in the neighborhood with the same positive energy together. That way we can realize beautiful ideas together. My most beautiful personal connection is with Mrs. Geertje Maandag. She was born in North Brabant, is 88 years old and a fellow neighborhood member. Since 2020 we walk every Friday morning from 08.00 am and afterwards we always have a cup of coffee. During our walks we have the most beautiful conversations, about personal things but also about world news. We noticed that on early mornings very few people greet each other. Our mission: greet everyone we meet on our walks with a smile with: “Good morning! How wonderful to see that after 5 years this concept is apparently contagious. In the morning we are now being greeted ourselves!
Christel
Christel: ‘I was born and raised in Doetinchem 66 years ago, on the Dr. Huber Noodtstraat. When we went to school we always walked down the busy Dr. Huber Noodtstraat past the old stables, later Talk of the Town. Then around butcher shop Schuurman, through the small street past the old Wilhelmina Hospital to St. Anna kindergarten and Liduinaschool. My childhood took place in the town, the center. Now we live in an apartment above “Sachtleven” and overlook the IJssel and the Bleek. A more beautiful place as a Doetinchemian I cannot imagine. Here I often think back to the many memories of old Doetinchem and often look through the albums of my entire family: nostalgia and memories…. I could write books about it!
Mehmet & Ipek
Mehmet has lived in Doetinchem for 54 years. His father was one of the first guest workers in Doetinchem back in 1965. Every Tuesday he goes to the market with his wife. There he always enjoys a delicious fried fish or herring at M. Zeefat. The Tuesday market is his favorite place, where he visibly enjoys the atmosphere and the people. Even the grandchildren often get to enjoy a delicious fish. Mehmet: “The market is like a second home: here everything comes together – the food, the people and the stories.
Bram
Bram: “I live in the Vijverberg district. Early in the morning I often cycle on my orange student bike along the beautiful Vijverlaan to the station. It slowly starts to get light and the atmosphere is different every time. In the distance, Scottish highlanders are grazing very peacefully in De Zumpe nature reserve. Slowly I approach the Graafschap stadium. The large illuminated logo looms up. I always look through the fence into the stadium. A little further I cycle under the tall trees. Large flocks of birds fly above me and make a lot of noise. Via the dirt road I slowly approach the station where the train to Arnhem is already waiting for me. A more beautiful start to the day does not exist for me! This little street, a hidden gem, is for me the ultimate beauty of Doetinchem.’
Thea
Thea: “The Kartouwe is the most beautiful place for me because I grew up there. It is quite an honor for me to run this café. You don’t see many cafes like this anymore in these modern times. The grandchildren of past guests come here to reminisce about the old days. You could call it a big living room where everyone feels nice and welcome. A unique feature of Kartouwe is the billiard table that is more than 100 years old. Would the King walk in here one evening? If so, he will certainly have a nice feeling about his visit. Especially because Kartouwe is an authentic brown café with a warm welcoming atmosphere and with a very large regular clientele.’
Ellen
Ellen: ‘Nature reserve the Zumpe is practically in my backyard so I walk there in no time. Alone, with the dog, or with the whole family. Especially early in the morning I enjoy the silence and nature. Why do I think the Zumpe is so typically Doetinchem? It is in front (or behind, whichever way you look at it!) stadium de Vijverberg, and it is a nice place to ‘be’ for a while, to slow down and enjoy nature. I’ve had many picnics there with my daughters, and we’ve also caught tadpoles there and searched for the Scottish highlanders. It brings back wonderful memories!
Ben
Ben: “When I sit on the bench there at the mill I go back in time. To when I was about 8 years old. Then I came here in the winter with my boyfriend who had a sled. We whizzed down at breakneck speed all the way to the streetcar rails where we came to a stop. Fortunately, because otherwise we would have ended up in the IJssel River! When I sit on the bench I always think back to this time.’
Mark Boumans
Mayor Mark Boumans: “For me, the Kruisberg forest with castle De Kelder is the most beautiful place in Doetinchem. I like to come here to clear my head and enjoy nature. Mostly walking, but every now and then also on a mountain bike. Although I just found out that I need to have my brakes done. That might give away a little how often I take this bike out. I’m curious about your favorite spot in our beautiful region!
