Flying animals and running animals
Creeping, climbing, wriggling creatures,

Huge ones with mighty muscles,
Sweet, small, soft, round ones,
Delicate yet strong,
Far more than you’d ever expect on a luminous night.

Floating, swimming, singing creatures,
Animals who love a good party,
Clucking, grunting, cooing or whistling,
Inside the castle or far beyond…

Wise animals, cunning animals,
Timid and frightened animals,
Far more than you’d ever expect on a luminous night.

Carved in stone or burned into stained glass,
Mythical beasts from a magical land.
A flying snake with a frog on its back,
Or dragon claws with a whale’s head
More than expected on a luminous night,
More than expected on a luminous night.

Welcome, welcome to the Luminous Nights.  
My name is Lindert, the oldest tree in the park. For centuries I’ve witnessed the joys and sorrows of this castle and its inhabitants. An old tree gathers many stories. Memories cling to every twig and branch, and deep within my roots I keep them safe.  
On winter evenings, the animals gather beneath my branches to collect wonderful tales.  
Tonight, Zita nestles close to my thick trunk. Zita Attic Mouse… my small, curious friend.  
Tonight I’ll tell her the story of the very first animals of the castle grounds. It was a remarkable time.

Deep in the Middle Ages, dear Zita, a magnificent castle stood here. But disasters, wars and misfortune gnawed at it until, just over a century ago, almost nothing remained.  
Yet a great dream lived in the hearts of Baron Etienne van Zuylen and Baroness Hélène de Rothschild: they wished to resurrect the castle with the most modern comforts and the most breathtaking views of an impressive park.  
For the animals who already lived here, it was an uncertain and difficult time. Much changed— even the village around me had to move. But soon the animals felt that the baron and baroness had not forgotten them.  
The park blossomed into a true paradise for birds, fish, and all their friends of field and forest. New residents arrived as well—some from the region, like the squirrels that travelled atop the old trees brought from Utrecht by mallejan cart… and others from far, far away, carried across countries the baron and baroness had visited.

But inside the castle, too, there was a home for animals. Silent mythical creatures stood guard: strange beings carved from wood and stone or depicted on paintings and stained‑glass windows. They brought beauty and… a hint of magic.  
And so… this place grew into a wondrous world where every beak, paw and tail was welcome.  
The animals were so grateful for their new home that they decided to surprise the baron and baroness with an enchanting ball beneath the full moon—Wise Owl conducting.  
Now explore the park… Owl shows you the way while I introduce you to all the animals.

1. MAGIC MAP
Soon after the castle’s reconstruction, the grounds and various gardens were created—each meant to be as spectacular as the castle itself. And every creature needed a home.  
Stately stables were built for the horses. Old trees were moved into the park; in their crowns sang blackbirds, squeaked tits, and drummed the woodpecker.  
In the great cross‑shaped pond, swans swam their calm circles. A proud herd of fallow deer grazed in the grass. And in the many moats floated ducks, croaked frogs, shimmered fish… while the heron watched silently.  
And as if that weren’t enough, a menagerie was founded: a small zoo filled with residents from faraway lands. One thing was certain: every corner of the park bustled with life.

2. CRANE BIRD
One of the first animals in the menagerie was the elegant crane—unsurprising, since architect Cuypers had adorned the castle hall with a fabulous scene in which this very bird played the lead.  
In the tale, Crane once dined at Fox’s home. But poor Crane, with her long beak, couldn’t manage a thing—Fox had served all dishes on flat plates.  
When Crane later invited Fox in return, she took clever revenge: every treat was hidden in a tall, narrow vase.  
Who mocks and tricks others will, sooner or later, be repaid. And Fox… stayed hungry.

3. PARROT CAGE WITH OWL  
After a journey to Ceylon, Baroness Hélène had two parrots shipped home. They proudly displayed themselves in the ornate iron aviary of the menagerie.  
Before long, they proved to be true rascals. One morning, they imitated the voice of the baroness so convincingly that even the butler was fooled.  
“May I have an egg for breakfast?”  
“Soft‑boiled and freshly prepared!”  
“With coffee, please!”  
“And… toast as well!”  
The poor man obeyed without question and delivered the full breakfast—not to the dining room, but to the birdcage.  
The baroness could hardly contain her laughter, and the parrots nearly toppled from their perch.  
And the butler? He could only stand there, baffled.

4. PEACOCK
Baron Van Zuylen adored his peacock. With his large, colourful tail feathers, the proud bird strutted daily across the courtyard.  
During a gala dinner, however, the peacock suddenly flew into the dining hall and landed on the banquet table—right in front of the duchess in her finest gown.  
With a slow sweep, the peacock opened his fan of shimmering blue and emerald, as if to court her.  
The duchess was startled, the peacock screeched… and the staff rushed in.  
By the time the bird was finally guided back outside, the soup was cold.  
But the moment? Unforgettable.

5. BUFFALOES
From Ceylon, the baroness also brought over four buffaloes—the only ones of their rare breed in all of Europe. They felt so at home here that they even made the newspaper.

February 9, 1912. In the stables of Castle Haarzuilens, a buffalo calf has been born—an extraordinary specimen of a crossbred lineage. The animal was conceived when a female zebú from Ceylon was bred with a local Dutch bull. Yet the newborn shows all traits of its species: the fat hump on its neck and the double chest lobes. Time will tell whether our half‑countryman will roar with a Dutch accent.

6. BEEHIVE

7. HORSE
Baron Etienne had a deep love for horses. He considered them too noble to be used as beasts of burden, so his carriage horses received only the finest care.  
From Paris he had nineteen horses brought in, accompanied by a procession of coachmen, to take residence in the luxurious stalls, the spacious carriage house and the surrounding staff quarters.  
They were pampered in every way. Even the turning circle on the Grand Cour, the entrance square, was measured so that a six‑horse carriage could pass comfortably.  
To everyone’s amusement, he even let them steal bread straight from the dining table.

Swans glide serenely,
glide serenely without worry.
Gliding, drifting without care,
sailing the silvered water.

Soulbound, shimmering softly with love,
from their beauty,
graceful… as if it had never… been otherwise.

Look… just look how stately they stand here.  
Of course the deer must be present at the ball. With their graceful steps and regal antlers, they bring noble elegance to the dance floor.  
Fifteen years ago, the deer enclosure was restored and the herd returned to a permanent place in the park.  
In summer they lie lazily in the cool shade. But once autumn approaches, the atmosphere changes: then you hear the stags bellow. Their deep roar sounds like an ancient drum, echoing through the park.

I am a grey heron,
a true warrior.  
I hunt only fish,  
though a juicy frog leg  
I won’t refuse.  

Stickleback, carp, salamander—  
all for me, none for another.  
Oh swimming creature,  
I savour with delight  
your salty, subtly sweet taste.  
I stand still on watch,  
ready for the hunt,  
my beak striking fast and true.

But you know what…  
I only love fishssssss.  
And beetles, larvae and snails—  
I eat whatever I can snatch.

But for the grand ball, I’ll set my hunting aside.  
I’ll eat duckweed so no one gets upset.  
Just so you know:  
I’m on a plant‑based diet.

And… isn’t it wondrous?  
I don’t even miss the fish.

Excusez‑moi,  
allow me to introduce myself:  
Étienne Gustave Frédéric, Baron van Zuylen van Nyevelt van de Haar.  
What a great honour to meet you here.

Ah… a talking statue of Hercules, you might think?  
Indeed… I had it placed here myself.  
A tangible mémoire, immortalized in stone,  
of the moment when—at a masquerade ball in Paris—  
I won the heart of the baroness,  
dressed as this heroic Roman god.

But… do you happen to know what is happening tonight?  
I received an invitation to a ball under the full moon.  
And if I’m not mistaken… that is tonight.  
Do you know who sent it?  
What a mystery!

And now… the most important question…  
What shall I wear?  
What suits this grandeur?  
What reflects both my strength and my sense of finesse?  
Something with cachet, a hint of nobility…  
but not too showy.  
Something that whispers: je suis arrivé,  
without shouting: moi, je suis Monsieur le Baron.  

Mais écoute… do you hear that? I’ll be soaked!  
A storm is coming…  
Even a statue of Hercules longs for an umbrella now and then.  
A storm breaks loose!

A curtain of rain lashed against the castle walls. The wind howled like a wolf through the park.  
All the animals were terrified and rushed to find shelter.  
Wise Owl sat still and hunched, wings wrapped tightly around him.  
Hope for the great ball seemed to fade with every flash of lightning.  
But at the darkest moment… a wondrous mythical creature appeared.  
It had the head and fins of a fish, but the tail and scales of a chameleon: Fabio Fable‑Fish.  
Other strange beings emerged from stained‑glass windows, stone ornaments, tapestries and fountains.  
They flew, wriggled and sliced through the threatening sky.  
Cloud after cloud parted, and the storm vanished as if it had never been.  
The ball could begin!

Sssst… Ssssttt… Quiet… The baron and baroness are on their way.  
Be quiet now… they’re coming!

Owl softly taps the beat  
The baroness sings bright and clear  
The peacock spreads his fan of green  
The squirrels dance two by two  
Tonight

The swan glides on the silver pond  
Fireflies paint the light and air  
The fox makes a bow  
The crane nods slow  
And they all waltz gently with every creature there

A symphony that binds us all  
And tells how a new home waits for us  
Hear how under the full‑moon glow  
Their song resounds on this luminous night

Mythical creatures charm the sky  
The bats sway gladly to the beat  
Hares hop and deer leap high  
there’s cake and whipped cream as a treat

Hear how under the full moon’s glow  
Each creature sings with all their might  
A dream unfolding, blooming wide  
To this waltz for Castle De Haar tonight

Zita Attic Mouse listened in wonder. “What a shame I missed all that!”  
Yes, Zita, the tone was set. Baron Étienne and Baroness Hélène couldn’t get enough.  
More and more celebrations followed—bigger, grander.  
Each September, the castle filled with noble friends, wealthy families and famous artists… even royalty.  
They received exactly what they hoped for: sparkling soirées with the finest dinners.  
Fairytale carriage parades rolled by. At times even a camel appeared, hired for a ride through the park.  
And inside, masks and costumes glittered during countless bals masqués.  
The baron took his role as Grand Seigneur very seriously—nothing was allowed to fall short.  
For weeks the castle was in an uproar.  
Two hundred rooms and twenty‑five bathrooms needed preparation.  
From Paris came extra horses, carriages and even automobiles.  
Maids ran with piles of linens.  
Butlers polished silver.  
And the kitchen… smelled of delicacies… day and night.

“And the animals?” whispered Zita.  
The animals enjoyed it all: they let themselves be admired, enchanted the guests and made every celebration unforgettable.

Snore snore… yawn…  
As the lights slowly fade and the animals nestle back into their familiar places, I already look forward to next year and invite you personally to come savour a new tale on an equally wondrous… Luminous Night.  
Yawn… snore snore…