The Caravan Hitchhiking Project is a European art project, connecting people, cultures and worlds. In 2010 Dutch artist Tjerk Ridder and journalist Peter Bijl hitchhiked from Utrecht to Istanbul – with a caravan, but without a car – to show that you need others to keep you going. The Caravan Hitchhiking Project thus became a unique research into the hospitality, benevolence and possibilities of Europe.

The Theatre Performance
Tjerk translated his impressions into a unique multimedia performance: a ‘theatrical road movie’ combining storytelling, songs and road movie footage.
During the performance Tjerk, assisted by his musical companion Matthijs Spek, takes the audience along on his European caravan journey, using universal themes such as origin, dreams, vigor, loneliness, prejudices and trust. A story that shows what happens when you open up yourself to the unknown.
After its premiere during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, Tjerk played the performance (Dutch, English or German language) at numerous renowned culture festivals in the Netherlands, such as Lowlands, Noorderzon, De Parade and Crossing Border.

The Book
Together with travel companion Peter Bijl, whose background is in media and journalism, Tjerk collected his impressions as well in a colorful book. You Need Others To Keep You Going (ISBN 9789081762403) is a multimedia collection of stories and reflections,  images,  songs and film. The self released book (156 pages, plus DVD) came out in August 2011 and had its third printing only a year later. The first copy of the international edition, in Dutch and English, was handed to Mr. Frans Timmermans, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Contact
More information on the project? Interested in booking a performance? boekingen@trekhaakgezocht.com

Organization – Johan van der Kooij – phone: +31 (0)6-27074684

Interested in a copy of the book?
peter@caravanproject.eu