TAFELEN
Tafelen has been an cornerstone activity at Tafelstraat for years. It embodies much what
the organization stands for: sharing a meal and a talk, welcoming all to join. Whether it is
the streets history housing the former St. Agatha-poorhouse, its name or the ideal of the
organisation to come together as students and pastors: the activity and place are just right
for each other. For many students Tafelen is an accessible way to get to know people and
join other Tafelstraat-activities. Two former students relay some of there Tafelen memories.
Of course, at the INNBETWEEN we'll continue to have tafelen, meet, share and dine
together. But it's only proper to remember the special Tafelstraat-tafelen bond.
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PHOTO BY TAFELSTRAAT ARCHIVE
Elaine Hoekstra: I first stumbled upon
Tafelstraat 13 because it was between where I
lived and the university's library. There was a
poster in the window advertising a free city
walking tour and, having just arrived in
Maastricht, I was interested to learn more about
it. And who can argue with free? At the event, in
addition to the great tour guide, I met some
really wonderful people volunteering and working
at Tafelstraat 13 and it was from them I learned
more about the organisation and their weekly
Tafelen dinners. After attending many dinners,
meeting more new friends, and getting more
involved with the other events at Tafelstraat 13 I
volunteered to cook a dinner with the help of a
good friend. We had lots of fun preparing the food
and were very pleased when it was well received.
I felt nervous as a cook because a local television
channel was filming some of the students in
Tafelstraat 13 for a show about Catholics in the
Netherlands. Even the TV crew liked the
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It is just super nice to cook
with your friends and when
everyone is eating it is
rewarding
vegetarian chilli we made! So it was a great
success. If it wasn't for Tafelstraat 13 and the
weekly Tafelen my life in Maastricht would be very
different.
Katharin Sackmann: I really enjoyed being at
Tafelstraat, mainly because it has a warm
atmosphere and you can make friends so easily. I
loved to cook with friends for the Tafelen dinner,
which is my highlight of Tafelstraat. It is just super
nice to cook with your friends and when everyone is
eating it is rewarding to see that they enjoy the
food.
Moreover, I loved the weekend activities. Thanks
guys, it was super fun to go canoeing with you or to
make jewellery! I had a great time and Tafelstraat
was my second home.
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