I was asked by the Volkshotel in Amsterdam to draw something within the Christmas theme on their large windows. This immediately made me think of pre-Christian midwinter celebrations! In ancient northern Europe, the so-called Joelfeest or Midvinterblot. Because of this, I drew inspiration from ancient traditions around the longest night and the returning light. Throughout Europe (actually the whole world), peoples crawl into the skin of animals, ancestors or natural elements. This is then expressed through masquerades, theatre or other spectacles. I think it is important to emphasize these ancient celebrations because it comes from a time when people could identify with nature rather than with a god outside of nature. The figures I drew were loosely inspired by this theme.