MAY 12, 2025 — Nearly half the village of De Steeg in the Netherlands turned out to vote in its first-ever official flag election, culminating in the unveiling of the winning design during King’s Day celebrations, reports Studio Rheden.
The flag, designed by resident Ronald Sterk, was revealed at a community event attended by local designers and villagers.
Out of approximately 1,080 residents, 447 cast their votes, representing a turnout of nearly 45 percent.
The contest was initiated by the editorial team of Boom & Stroom, a local publication, which first proposed the idea in late 2023. Sixteen flag designs submitted by residents were put to a public vote, open only to people living in the village. Sterk’s design won with 98 votes, amounting to 21.9 percent of the total.
The flag features a green and blue color scheme symbolizing the village’s natural surroundings, green for the Veluwe forests and blue for the IJssel River. At its center, a leaping deer is depicted.
“The deer, which every resident of De Steeg has seen with their own eyes at some point, jumps forward enthusiastically,” said Sterk. “It symbolizes our vibrant village, looking toward a promising future.”
The mayor of Rheden, Carol van Eert, who is also a resident of De Steeg, unveiled the winning flag on April 26. “As mayor and villager, I was proud to be able to vote,” he said at the ceremony, held at the village’s parkhuis.
Organizers said the contest has had a unifying effect on the community.
“A village flag not only gives us an identity but also strengthens the bond between residents,” said organizer Edwin Teunissen. “The response shows there’s a real need for this—and a lot of creativity in our village.”
Image: Studio Rheden
