In the harbour of the picturesque village of Volendam, The Netherlands, you will surely notice a statue of an old man sitting on a bench, looking at the water with a nostalgic expression.
He is wearing a traditional fisherman’s outfit, complete with a cap, a scarf, and wooden clogs. He is De Bap, which means “the granddad” in the local dialect. He is a symbol of Volendam’s fishing heritage and culture, and a beloved figure among the locals and tourists.
De Bap was created in 1998 by Jans van Baarsen, a Volendam artist who was inspired by his own grandfather, who was a fisherman. The sculpture captures the spirit and the character of the Volendam people, who are known for their resilience, humour, and hospitality. It also preserves the memory of the fishing industry, which was once the main source of income and identity for Volendam, but has declined over the years due to environmental and economic factors.
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