Day One: A Stroll...
Ascension Day, bright weather. A perfect day for the traditional Early Morning Walks in the Twenthe district, which caused some party traffic with youngsters on the bike. Many of their bikes are enhanced by weird constructions to carry crates with bottles of beer and audio equipment to build a party somewhere in the woods.
No Early Morning Walk for me, I have other plans, with my guitar. For the fourth time the next days will be Guitar Days. This time I drove my car downtown Enschede myself, so that my Love could enjoy the early morning sun in the garden. Ample parking space, free parking and consequently only a short walk to my destination. Thus I arrived with my guitar, sheet music and lunch at the parking place near the Enschede railway station at 9:30 am.
Since last year, there has been a lot of building in Enschede and they even completed things. Now there is only one large building excavation left in the centre of town, which unfortunately blocks the way from railway station to the Brinkgaarden alley. So there was a little detour to reach the Artez Conservatory.
It was quite peaceful in town, the most prominent passers-by were some drifters who were discussing the most suitable place for breakfast. From their words I understood that there were some shelters for the homeless available for this purpose. I was never quite aware that Enschede had such an active street life, but also in this town there are some Nomads of the Road.
The Bunker -the nickname of the Artez Conservatory- was still there, a large grey cube with some windows. I guess that the facade of Artez would be a much better place for the colourful Spiderman which now decorates the front of The American Guitar Store at the other side of the street.
This time the door was open quite early, because I did not see any waiting guitarists besides the bronze statue of the violin player with hat and violin case. This statue happens to be the only sign that you are going to enter the Temple of Music!
Checking-in was easy. After attending a few editions of the festival, people start recognizing you. That's why I had some time left for preparation of the pieces for my first Masterclass.
One by one all participants entered, from young (the German girl who would win one of the prices of the amateur competition) to old (I start wondering if I am one of oldies after three festivals). Some got their guitars out of its case and in a far corner you could hear some Bach.
The Twenthe Guitar Festival had started in earnest!