Peak history

Peak moments

Out of the defunct youth work of the DOP-soos and Don Bosco (after 1968, Search for the sun) in the late 1960s, a group of Provadya youngsters emerged, which, under the leadership of Bob Kossen and Bas Stiphout, eventually evolved into the Piek.

The Peak began as a drag-Inn in 1970 in the now-demolished old household school in Groenewoud, between Walstraat and Plein Vierwinden. In the attic of the building were mattresses donated by the Royal Navy, where you could spend the night for one guilder (and also get a cup of tea). This became a resounding success among young people. At the time, De Piek was still called the V.O.C., Vlissings Ontspanningscentrum (with a nod to the VOC). The building also housed a café, a world shop, darkroom and teahouse.

Visual artist Jan Haas and writer Wim Hofman, among others, worked there as volunteers. The volunteers soon, and for a long time afterwards, managed to realise their ideals by 'infiltrating politics.' They became members of the then largest party, the PvdA, and were thus able to realise many plans. The move to Hellebardierstraat, opposite the current Municipal Archives, followed after only a few years, where the housing of the KMT (Catholic Military Home) became vacant. The parquet floor of the dance hall was found extremely suitable as a concert hall. In addition, screen-printing courses were given, there was a nanny and film screenings were organised (under the name Piekoscoop). Later events included 'poetry battles' and artists could exhibit in the café area. However, music programming always remained the most important.