The Eleven Cities skater Aukje in Sneek by Evert van Hemert
In 2002, artist Van Hemert created the sculpture De Reedrydster in Kolderwolde as part of the Famkes sculpture trail. The inspiration for the sculpture came from the 1997 Eleven Cities Tour. During this tour, local residents were asked to help the first skaters through the darkness by providing light. One of them was Aukje, who stepped onto the ice in her nightdress and slippers. This event became the starting point for the later series of eleven Aukje sculptures along the Eleven Cities route.
The choice to portray women was deliberate. Women have always taken part in the Eleven Cities Tour, but received little attention in media coverage, which focused mainly on male winners. By putting women centre stage, the sculptures give them a visible place in the story of the tour. The sculptures, named after one of the artist’s neighbours, have a similar figure but each has its own character. They are placed at locations where the road crosses the water. This sculpture stands here, too, along the Stadsgracht in Sneek.
