Naar den equator, met een voorspel: van pastoor soldaat

A vivid tapestry of memory and history, the narrator weaves together episodes from his own life with snapshots of the Dutch‑East Indies army’s world. His tone is both reflective and gently romantic, aiming to give listeners a clear picture of what service in the colonies felt like, while also touching on the everyday moments that shaped his worldview.

The story opens on a sun‑lit July afternoon in 185 — the ruins of Lichtenberg castle provide a dramatic backdrop for a musical matinée hosted by the 28th Prussian regiment. Amid the rustle of leaves and the scent of coffee‑laden air, a mixed crowd of ladies, gentlemen, and families enjoys tea, ‘soekerei’, and frothy Maastricht beer while the wind adds a soft susurrus to the strings. Beneath the pleasant surface, subtle hints of longing and unspoken tension ripple through the gathering, setting the stage for the layered recollections that follow.