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Finally, part 4 of the book Then & Now Utrecht is out. With funny, poignant, nostalgic and sometimes surprising stories about the city of Utrecht, written based on a photo from the past and present.
For example, in part 4 we see that the resistance monument is unveiled in 1949 by a German (ex)Nazi; that the central station still had platform 6 in 1965; and that the cozy birthplace of Herman Berkien on the Huygensstraat is now hidden behind atmospheric facade panels.
But the biggest discovery is that the Prinses Marijkelaan does not have house number 3, because Anton Mussert’s stationery had to be saved in 1929. And the biggest question still remains why the Oudegracht is not in the Monopoly game, while there was one there in 1902. Perry branch was located in Kalverstraat and Barteljorisstraat.
Just like the first three parts, the book is a collection of the stories that Paula Swieringa writes weekly for the AD Utrechts Nieuwsblad. They vary in place, time and subject and can therefore be read separately and in any order. So people don’t have to have read part 1, 2 or 3 to start part 4.
The books are self-published and can be ordered from the author himself via [email protected]. Within Utrecht (or within cycling distance thereof) she also delivers the books herself as much as possible.
On April 27, Paula will hold a special sales day at home with tea, coffee and real Utrecht sprits and tekantjes. Everyone is welcome at Bilderdijkstraat 80 between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Then & Now Utrecht costs 17.50 euros. And yes, parts 1, 2 and 3 are also still available.
