By Steinar Boomsma
The Fall 2014 Semester has not been a semester as usual. It was the semester in which our Student Association, RASA, has been able to celebrate its 10th Anniversary. While students (and locals) have already been able to enjoy wonderful events such as the pancake dinner and the RASA festival on the square, the definitive highlight of this Anniversary semester took place last Friday: the official celebration of the Dies Natalis, the closing event to not only a semester but also the festive end of an Anniversary-week full of celebratory events. The Dies Natalis celebration consisted of two different events., namely the Dies Natalis Dinner and the Dies Natalis Party.
The dinner, hosted in what might be one of Middelburg’s most beautiful venues – the Oostkerk -, was a delicious three-course meal accompanied by not only wine but also speeches by former and current RASA Board members. Yet, while that was a truly worthy opening to a spectacular evening, the cherry on top of the Anniversary cake was definitely the Dies Natalis party in the Timmerfabriek in Vlissingen. Parties during the semester have been criticized on their choice of music or being “too much of the same thing”. It seemed that the Anniversary Team has very well understood these critiques. They have given the RASA members a party that definitely can be considered one of the greatest parties in RASA’s 10-year history. Even though I happened to be one of the first people walking into the yet empty venue, I immediately understood this was going to be one of those nights to never forget.
So what was the Timmerfabriek like? It reminded me of the kind of venues one frequently encounters in indie coming-of-age movies: the place where surreal and dream-like parties can be hosted, such was the immediate magic which this space was able to convey. The high ceiling, the concrete pillars on which the latter rests, a multitude of screens showcasing colourful visuals and a DJ booth situated two or three meters higher than the dance area. Within a short matter of time, the place started to fill up, the smokers lighting their smokes while dancing to the smooth rhythms resounding in the hall. Our own DJ Kalle opened the party with slick beats and a smooth electronic sound. However, the best still had to come. By the time the main act of the evening, Boogie Belgique , was about to hit the stage – the last bus had already arrived and more and more people were dancing their way into the building.
Boogie Belgique actually happens to be one of my favourite bands. I would definitely recommend to look them up if you haven’t heard of them! They produce a mixture of Jazz, Electro & Swing and made we found it impossible not to move our feet. People were swinging like I have never seen them swing at any party before. While I was walking through the crowd I noticed there was simply no sad face to be found. Everyone shared in the joy and excitement of this party, while more and more intimate one-on-one celebrations started occurring as well. DJ Julian, though not as exciting as Boogie Belgique, did exactly what he had to do after such an amazing performance – he kept the moves in the building and made sure students were guaranteed some more hours of music to move their feet to.
To conclude, the RASA Dies Party was definitely one of the best, if not the best, in RASA’s 10-year history. The venue, the music, the lights, the people: everything was in perfect harmony. It was a night to never forget. I would like to congratulate the RASA Anniversary team on giving the students a party that absolutely transcended many students’ wildest dreams about RASA parties. All the people who went tot his party had a wonderful time and to those who did not attend: you have absolutely missed out on something!
Steinar Boomsma, class of 2015, is a History, Art History, Religious Studies and Philosophy Major from Maastricht, The Netherlands.
