Brabant in the past

Dorst Celebrates Goat Heritage with Iconic Statue

DORST – A testament to a bygone era of prosperity, the village of Dorst now proudly displays a statue commemorating the notable role of goats in its history. The artwork, affectionately nicknamed “the piping goat,” stands as a reminder of the village’s past reliance on goat farming and breeding.

The flourishing partnership between goats and the community of Dorst was tragically curtailed by the onset of World war II. German occupation led to a ban on all associations within the Netherlands, including the local goat breeding club. This prohibition effectively halted goat breeding activities, leading to the gradual disappearance of goats from the village’s streets.

In the late 1990s, a group of Dorst residents recognized the need to honor the animal that had contributed so much to the village’s former wealth. their initiative garnered support from sponsors and the local municipality, securing 80,000 guilders (over 35,000 euros) for the project. Local artist Pierre van Leest, from Lage Zwaluwe, was commissioned to create the sculpture.

The foundation for the statue was laid on Spoorstraat in 1999, accompanied by the village’s rallying cry: “Vooruit met de geit” (Forward with the goat). The official unveiling took place on September 4th, with Mayor Wim Ligtvoet revealing the artwork to the keen villagers. The statue soon acquired its popular moniker, “the piping goat,” a fitting description of its artistic depiction.