Urk, The Netherlands 07.05.2011

Urk is one of the smallest districts of The Netherlands although this little harbour town and former island has the largest fishing fleet in the whole country. One of the oldest and most distinctive dialects of Dutch is the language which is spoken in Urk. Currently, Urk is no longer an island, and exposure to the standard Dutch through the media is widespread. However, the distinctive Urkish dialect is still alive.

This little religious town which is extremely closed in on itself socially reminded me alot of Volendam on the other side of the Ijsselmeer Lake. Although Volendam gives the impression of being full of french-fry-eating drunks Urk on the other hand seems very hard working and upright due to the amount of fishing trawlers in it’s harbour.