De Limburger launches podcast Kolder… In the footsteps of Toon Hermans
Paul Dolhain (wearing glasses) and Nick Bruls, both reporters for Dagblad De Limburger newspaper, stand next to the statue of Toon Hermans in Sittard. Photo: Roger Dohmen
Twenty-five years after his death, De Limburger follows the life path of artist Toon Hermans
It has been 25 years since Toon Hermans passed away. On April 22, 2000, the news opened with a minute-long item about the death of the comedian, artist, singer, and poet who is considered the greatest comedian in the Netherlands, along with Wim Kan and Wim Sonneveld. The Flemish even named him the best post-war humorist.
Journalists Nick Bruls (38) and Paul Dolhain (47) from De Limburger regularly visit Toon's hometown of Sittard for their work. Here, statues and poems fill the streets and the theater bears his name. But what is his actual legacy, a quarter of a century after his death?
Bruls and Dolhain set out to find the answer in the podcast Kolder... in de voetsporen van Toon (Nonsense... in the footsteps of Toon). They talk to Toon's family and friends and visit the places he loved to go. To do so, they travel across the Netherlands and Belgium. With admirers such as Youp van 't Hek, André van Duin, and Bert Visscher—who also climbed the stage thanks to him—they discuss the magic of their source of inspiration.
They also talk to Toon's colleagues, from musicians to managers, and meet numerous people who had some connection with Toon. The podcast was created with the full cooperation and permission of the Toon Hermans Foundation, which safeguards his artistic legacy. As a result, the most moving and funny excerpts from his shows can be heard.
“It was a very surprising journey. We fell from one beautiful story into another,” says Bruls. Dolhain: “It is moving to experience how many ways and places Toon still lives on.”
Starting Tuesday, March 18, the podcast Kolder... in de voetsporen van Toon (Nonsense... in the footsteps of Toon) will be available to listen to for free via the usual channels. That day will kick off with a double episode, followed by a new episode every Tuesday, with the final episode on April 22, 2025—exactly 25 years after Toon's death.
In addition, bonus material will be available on the De Limburger website, and an Instagram and Facebook page with accompanying photos will be launched under the name podcastkolder.
These are the episodes and their release dates:
March 18, Episode 1 – Sittard: Demolished
March 18, Episode 2 – Amsterdam: The Encounter
March 25, Episode 3 – Zandvoort: Solo
April 1, Episode 4 – Antwerp: On an Adventure
