Bram, a 12-year-old from Schimmert in Limburg, is one of the youngest people performing as a Buuttereedner, a storyteller who entertains audiences with humorous tales in the Limburgs regional language. This weekend he took part in a large competition for Buuttereedners, where he was the youngest contestant. Although he cannot yet compete for the main prizes because of his age, Bram enjoys making people laugh and regularly performs. He says that when he makes a joke, people laugh, which is one of his favourite things.
What this means if you are learning Dutch or new in the Netherlands
Bram's story shows that the Netherlands has strong regional languages and traditions beyond standard Dutch. Limburgs is spoken in the province of Limburg, and events like this competition help keep it alive. If you are learning Dutch, you may hear Limburgs in everyday life there, but you do not need to understand it to follow the news. It is a reminder that Dutch has many varieties, and encountering them can be part of getting to know the country. For newcomers, especially in Limburg, being aware of local customs and dialects can help you feel more connected to the community, even if you mainly use standard Dutch.