Authors: Ben Ruhe
Date Submitted: February 28, 2006
Article Type: Journal

Because it is in Dutch, the slim, elegantly laid out bimonthly magazine Vlieger (Kite) is hardly known in the global kite world. But within the Netherlands the publication has been the cement holding together a dedicated pool of Dutch kiters.

Now in its 25th year, Vlieger ceases publishing at the end of this year. The volunteer editorial board—-Harm van Veen, John Verheij, Theo Beerends, Nop Velthuizen, Wim Tichelaar, and designer Nico Laan are calling it a career and going on to other pursuits. The board hopes others in Dutch kite ranks will pick up the challenge and issue a new publication of some sort, maybe an Internet journal.

“We are at the end of our journey,” says Verheij. “We are very proud.” A retired Dutch royal air force communications expert, Verheij is credited by the others with the unusual punctuality enjoyed by the magazine. In a quarter century, no issue was ever put out late. “Verheij supplied the push,” says Velthuizen, “but gently.”

PDF Link: Journal Issue