Ried fan de Fryske Beweging
The Ried fan de Fryske Beweging (RfdFB – Council of the Frisian Movement) is a organisation for people who like Frisia and support the Frisian languages and culture. The Council is an independent organisation, supported by volunteers. The Ried fan de Fryske Beweging is a foundation, which has several member-organisations and more than 500 donators.
History
The foundation Ried fan de Fryske Beweging was established in 1945 as a umbrella organisation for several smaller Frisian organisations. The idea to have one organ to talk with government, politicians and institutionas came to life after WW2 ('It Selskip foar Fryske Tael en Skriftekennisse', 'It Kristlik Frysk Selskip', 'it Roomsk Frysk Boun' and it 'Frysk Boun om Utens'). One of the main objectives was the legal protection of the Frisian language under Dutch law. The Dutch government did very little legislation concerning the Frisian language up to then. The umbrella structure allowed people to organize direct (as a donator) or indirect by becoming a member of one of the organisations represented in the council. The board of the council is made up by representatives from member organisations, and people who are chosen by donators. The Ried fan de Fryske Beweging started expanding its number of member organisations after 2005.
Members
The following organisations are members of the Ried fan de Fryske Beweging:
- De Fryske Rie
- FBU = Frysk Boun om Utens
- Federaasje = Federaasje fan Fryske Studinteferienings
- FFE = Feriening foar in Federaal Europa
- FFOF = Freonen fan Omrop Fryslân
- FFU = Feriening foar Frysk Underwiis
- IFAT = It Frysk Amateur Toaniel
- Ons Bildt = Stichting 'Ons Bildt'
- Jong Fryske Mienskip
- Krúspunt = It eardere Kristlik Frysk Selskip
- Selskip 1844 = It Selskip foar Fryske Taal- en Skriftekennisse
- Stellingwarver Schrieversronte
There are several hundred donators.
Activities
The main focus of the council was creating formal rights for the Frisian language. The efforts of the first fifty years of existence are:
- 1 hour Frisian in primary schools (since 1980 arranged by law). In 1993 Frisian became a mandatory school subject in secondary schools.
- Letters to governmental institutions can be written in Frisian and 'should be' answered in Frisian.
- Politicians are allowed to speak Frisian, and will be recorded in the minutes of the official meeting.
- In the province Fryslân, it is allowed to speak Frisian in court at all times. The Frisian speaker has the right to get a translator if there is somebody who does not understand Frisian.
- The right to use Frisian in official documents (since 2005).
Development
During the 90s, the council started to promote the use of Frisian in an informal environment. Some of the projects to promote the use of Frisian in an informal environment are:
Current projects
- Swingel – magazine of the council with articles about the Frisian language and culture and about the organisation.
- De Fryske Reklamepriis – to promote Frisian commercials on radio and television.
- Fear yn ’e Broek – annual award for an individual or organisation that did something to promote the Frisian language.
- Newsletter – the council distributes a newsletter four times a year, with nice articles about the Frisian language and culture.
- www.goedfrysk.nl – people who would like to write Frisian but have difficulties to do so, can send their text to a group of volunteers and correct the text for free.
- Euregua – a board game for children and adults to. Made in coorporation with representatives from other minority language speakers.
- Readings – the council is often invited to do readings about the Frisian language.
- www.itnijs.nl – a news website.
Former projects
- Ragnarock – a small pop event for starting Frisian bands and artists.
- Mear Frysk on-line – initiative to promote the use of Frisian on the internet.
- Distributation of 'I like to talk Frisian' stickers
Present
The council promotes the use of Frisian in every domain. The council maintains contacts with governments, institutions, companies, societies and individuals. The donators and members support the promotion of the Frisian language. The council wants to make people aware of the value and richness of their language, and hopes the people are encouraged to use Frisian, not just in their daily environment. The use of Frisian by common people is one of the current main objectives. In case of discrimination, the council cooperates with an anti-discrimination bureau called Tûmba. People can report language discrimination to the Ried fan de Fryske Beweging or directly to Tûmba.
There council works with several committees. Each has its own tasks:
- International Contacts Committee – to maintain contacts with other minorities and European minority organisations.
- New media – promotes the Frisian language on the internet.
- Political committee
- Interfrisian committee – to promote East- and North-Frisia in West-Frisia.
- Promotion – promotes the organisation
Literature
- Sj. van der Schaaf, Skiednis fan de Fryske Beweging. Ljouwert 1977.
Links
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