Bust of Dr Ghijsen - Monument
On a small grassy area along Schelpweg, near the junction with Voorthuijsenstraat in Domburg, stands the bust of Dr Henrika M.C. Ghijsen (1884–1976), unveiled in 2015. A modest yet meaningful tribute to a woman who made an invaluable contribution to preserving the language and culture of Zeeland.
Who was Dr Ghijsen?
- Linguist with a heart for Zeeland: Dr Hendrika Ghijsen served as secretary of the Zeeuwse Vereniging voor Dialectonderzoek and dedicated 35 years of her life to the Dictionary of Zeeland Dialects — unpaid, yet with immense devotion.
- Unique approach: She not only collected thousands of Zeeland words but placed them in context with example sentences, usage notes and cultural background on costumes, crafts, fishing, farming and traditional games.
- Zeeland honours: In 1956 she received the Zeeland Prize for Arts and Sciences, and in 1964 she was appointed honorary member of the Royal Zeeland Society of Sciences.
- Domburg as home base: After the First World War, she settled in her summer residence De Lijsterhof in Domburg, where she lived until her death.
A statue full of meaning
- Unveiled in 2015: The bust was placed on 19 September 2015 in honour of the 50th anniversary of the dictionary (1964–2014).
- Art with craftsmanship: Sculptor Leendert Houtekamer created from hardstone a modest and dignified sculpture that beautifully captures Ghijsen’s strength and dedication.
Discover this small yet meaningful monument and take a moment to reflect on the work of a woman who captured the soul of Zeeland.
Furthermore Bust of Dr Ghijsen is near the following sights: Hoge Hil (±225 m), Domburgsche Golf Club (±250 m), Johannes Church (±300 m), Old Town Hall (±350 m) & Gallery Zeevonk (±350 m).
For information
Schelpweg/Voorthuijsenstraat, Domburg
Display Bust of Dr Ghijsen