Striking Utrecht residents about their favorite location in the city. This month: Ingmar Creutzburggym owner Tigers Gymnear the Dom Tower.
So the Cathedral?
‘For me it symbolizes “home”: I am a born and bred Utrecht resident and proud of the city, of which the Dom Tower is the center. I also think it’s very beautiful. How special is it that they were able to make something like this seven hundred years ago? No expense was spared, the number of ornaments is enormous. At first I thought the Cathedral was masculine and cool, but now that it has been cleaned during the renovation, a transformation has taken place. The gloomy dark gray is a beautiful light color, which makes the Cathedral a “they” for me.’
Biggest turn-off?
‘I think people often think too small-scale in Utrecht; I don’t see enough grand gestures. The scaffolding with canvas around the Cathedral, nothing was done with it. I would certainly have turned that into a temporary art object. But costs are often an obstacle in this city, and everyone gets involved – including typical Utrecht residents. I often encountered this with Unchain The Tigers, my area development and activities company that I run next to my gym. Such as with the annual light festival I Light U, which I helped devise. So the cuteness of the city also has a downside.’
Guilty pleasure?
‘Drink an ice-cold cola on a hot day and enjoy the taste and the stimulation. I prefer to do this on a bench in the Zocherpark, along the Singel. Did you know that it is the largest park in the Netherlands? Although it is very narrow, it is only a few kilometers long. I think it’s fantastic, also because you can take a whole circular walk there. Except for the part near Wolvenplein. Shame.’
Best memory?
‘Can it be the very last? That was when the shutters of the old Vrije Vloer at the Paardenveld went up, because I wanted to open the second location of Tigers Gym there. At that moment I thought: wow! I was flooded with great memories from the 80s and 90s, when I would go out for nights out at the Vloer with my friends. We have been there with Tigers Gym since March. In addition to being a place for kickboxing training, it is an exhibition space for artists and offers yoga classes and lectures. But I think creating social connection is the most important thing. The dressing room is a living room with free coffee.’
Tastiest food?
‘Restaurant Tante Lien on the Oudegracht: they serve fine Indonesian food as it should be, with good ingredients and real herbs. I go there once a week to treat myself to nasi rames after training. My father is of Javanese descent, so Indonesian food feels like coming home to me. When I smell and taste it I think of my grandmother and aunts, who could spend days together in the kitchen. The social aspect of food also really appeals to me.’
Last seen or heard?
‘Ted Lasso I binged on Apple TV in one go; something I’ve never done before in my life. This fantastic American series, which has won no fewer than eleven Emmy Awards, revolves around a football club with a lot of love and attention for each other.’
Moved to tears?
‘When my twenty-year-old daughter, who is studying dance in Amsterdam and teaching in Utrecht, recently gave a performance. Hannah always manages to touch me because she follows her own path. Dance is also a personal quest and I think it is one of the most beautiful art forms. During performances I always try to sit right at the front, so that you can see the sweat flying around. Then you can actually carry me away. It is the combination of strength and expression and also the balance between body and mind. The Utrecht company DOX in particular is a must-see. That production house for young makers makes fantastic pieces.’
