Furthermore, sport can serve as a means of creating and strengthening social ties in a community that is proving increasingly difficult to integrate.
Sport
The people of Brabant devote themselves wholeheartedly – and once more, communally – to their hobbies. As sports are increasingly widely practised at club level, top sport has also flourished here. Examples of success stories include frequent national and European football champion PSV; its top scorer, Ruud van Nistelrooy; equestrian sportswoman, Anky van Grunsven; although there are many more.
Choirs and orchestras
Throughout the province, amateur choirs and orchestras practise in the evenings, while volunteers organise concerts and exhibitions in cultural centres, as well as artistic events. Breda, Eindhoven, ’s-Hertogenbosch and Tilburg all have a fully fledged cultural infrastructure. Moreover, Eindhoven is home to both ‘Het Brabants Orkest’ orchestra and the ‘Zuidelijk Toneel’ theatre group.
Nightlife
The province’s youth frequent visits numerous night clubs, while the highly acclaimed DJ Tiësto also hails from Breda. However, one should not underestimate the many pubs and restaurants where the people of Brabant drink, eat and catch up with each other in a relaxed atmosphere. Furthermore, Brabant chefs are well-versed in the preparation of dishes originating from all over the world.
Amusement Parks
‘De Efteling’ fairytale adventure park in Kaatsheuvel is the Netherlands’ oldest amusement park. However, the province boasts many more, such as ‘Autotron’ in Rosmalen; Beekse Bergen Safari Park; and the medieval amusement park ‘Land van Ooit’, which is based on legendary stories and myths.
Nature
Those who enjoy walking, cycling or even getting briefly lost in tranquil green spaces, are bound to appreciate Brabant’s hundreds of nature reserves, such as the ‘Loonse en Drunense Duinen’, ‘De Kampina’, the unique ‘Biesbosch’ wetland area, ‘De Peel’ peat moor, the banks of the River Meuse, etc.
Festivals
Crowds invariably enjoy themselves at the Tilburg funfair – the largest in the Netherlands – or the Mundial world music festival. The Vocal Competition and the ‘Concours Hippique’ equestrian event held in ’s-Hertogenbosch have produced many international stars and celebrities. The alternative open air theatre festival ‘De Boulevard’ was also conceived here.
Tennis tournament
Leading tennis players enter the grass tournament in Rosmalen each year, in preparation for Wimbledon. And the first outing for professional cyclists after the Tour de France is usually one of the criteria in Boxmeer, Stiphout or Chaam. Zundert hosts the world’s largest flower parade.