Decoration for Toos Heesakkers-Vermeulen

Deputy Mayor Sandor Löwik presented Ms. Toos Heesakkers-Vermeulen (83) with a royal honor this evening during the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Vodawiko dance association at the "De Werf" community center in Eindhoven. Ms. Heesakkers was appointed Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau.

Co-founder Vodawiko

Toos Heesakkers was co-founder and driving force behind the Vodawiko dance association in 1966. Vodawiko started with 16 members with an average age of around 20. The association mainly dances English country dances. It grew steadily in the 1970s and 1980s into a thriving association with a weekly dance evening, a music group, a demonstration group, a children's dance group, and its own club magazine. Now, 60 years later, the association has 21 members with an average age of 75. The association has not performed for years, but the weekly dance evenings still take place (without exception) and are faithfully attended by the members. 

Booklets with dances 

For 60 years, Ms. Heesakkers has been involved with the Vodawiko folk dance group as a board member, dance instructor, and volunteer. With her dedication, determination, and perseverance, she has contributed greatly to the social character of the association and to the sense of solidarity among its members. She wrote the choreography for 39 dances, which have been published in two booklets. The proceeds from these go to the Philippe Callen Fund, which supports young musicians who play for English and American contra dancing. She has also given workshops in Scotland, England, and Belgium.  

Ms. Heesakkers is still teaching, and every week there are different dances on the program. She has collected an archive of more than 15,000 dances. Congratulations!