Premiere of Musical 'De Hospita' puts Hospita in the spotlights
Together with two hosts and Minister Hugo de Jonge, Hospi Housing was present at the premiere of the musical 'The Hospita' in Amsterdam. An absolute must-see!
On Monday, December 4th, the premiere of the musical 'The Hospita' took place at the DeLaMar Theater in Amsterdam. For almost 5 years, Hospi Housing has been working to put hospita back on the map. When we heard that a musical was being made about the hospita, we knew it couldn't be a coincidence. A collaboration followed, and a few months later, Hospi Housing was on the red carpet with two of our hospitas and the minister.
Gender Norms, Climate, and Oat Milk
'The Hospita' is about an old revue star, Madeleine Coutard (Simone Kleinsma), and her old costume designer (Paul Groot), who decide to rent out rooms in their canal house in Amsterdam due to financial difficulties. It doesn't go smoothly at first. Sharing the house and even having to get rid of belongings to make space, what nonsense is that?!
But the financial need is high, and several theater students are eager to move into the rooms, with a view of the Westerkerk. This suddenly brings Madeleine and her best friend face to face with gender norms, climate issues, and oat milk. The differences between the Boomer generation and Gen Z couldn't seem much greater. Or could they?
Hilarious, relatable, and touching. Differences seem smaller when you get to know each other, and secretly, we can all learn from each other, young from old and old from young. Would we recommend the musical? Absolutely, you have to see it!
The Hospita in the Spotlight
What is a musical about the hospita without real hospitas? Nothing, of course! That's why Hospi Housing was present with hosts Saskia and Dick from Utrecht and hospita Anja from Rotterdam. And not just that: a grand entrance on the red carpet, with the minister and a lot of attending press. An evening where the hospita was front and center. And well-deserved!
The Hospita is Back!
The hospita as a single old spinster in a large but somewhat dilapidated house. That's the image many people have of the hospita, and that's also how it is portrayed in the musical 'The Hospita,' in a comical and touching way. However, this image is no longer entirely accurate. In recent years, the hospita has been making a comeback, and efforts are being made to create a new image. Almost anyone with a spare room in their house can become a 'hospita.'
Take Wim and Monique, two septuagenarians who have opened their beautiful 1930s home in Utrecht to Zoë, a conservatory student from Spain. In addition to Zoë, the 14 grandchildren also regularly visit; it's a lively bunch!
And who says you have to be 'old' to start renting out a room? Not at all! Renting out a room in your home is becoming increasingly popular among people in their 30s and 40s. It's temporary, offers financial benefits, and is an ideal way to make good use of that vacant space. For Sanna (38) from Utrecht, it's the perfect solution.
The male counterpart of 'the hospita' is 'hospes.' Because, to dispel another stereotype: a hospita doesn't have to be a woman. Take Fons & Sytse, who have rented out a beautiful Airbnb-worthy studio in their home to Richard. Or Jan from Bilthoven, who has been renting out a room in his house to a foreign student, along with his son Guido for many years.
Finally, the host family. Taking in a student temporarily can be a fun and educational experience for the children. They get to interact with someone who speaks a different language, comes from a different culture, and eats differently. 'A unique exchange of cultures,' as student Eva describes it in her host family in Utrecht.
Do you ever think about renting out that vacant room in your house but still have doubts and don't know where to start? Don't worry. At Hospi Housing, we're happy to help and guide you through every step. Create an account for free and easily and schedule a meeting. See you soon!