In the latest episode of “Die Freizeit-Helden” on VEEJOY, we meet Hans-Jürgen van Akkeren, the “IT Knight” of Europa-Park, who has been managing the park's technical infrastructure for 23 years while giving medieval tours in his spare time. A fascinating insight into the life of an IT administrator who combines technology with history.
Hans-Jürgen van Akkeren: The IT Knight of Europa-Park
Hans-Jürgen van Akkeren, better known as the “IT Grandpa,” has been an integral part of the IT team at Europa-Park for over two decades. His workdays start early in the morning, often before 8 a.m., to prepare for the day ahead. As an IT administrator, he is responsible for the technical management and maintenance of numerous systems in the park, from cash register systems to network infrastructure to control boards for turnstiles. With over 500 distribution points at more than 400 locations, he ensures that operations run smoothly.
Hans-Jürgen starts his day by checking the tasks that come in through the ticketing system. His responsibilities include managing cash systems in retail and gastronomy, as well as handling trouble tickets. Many problems can be solved remotely, but sporadically, it is necessary to be on-site. In addition, he is responsible for setting up new workstations and configuring VLANs. In the IT warehouse, he ensures that enough hardware and spare parts are always available to quickly respond to outages.
His nickname, “IT Grandpa,” is a sign of the recognition he has earned through his years of experience and extensive knowledge. Particularly impressive is the development of the IT department. While it used to consist of only two employees, it is now divided into several teams to meet the increased demands. He recalls how he used to work with far fewer resources, whereas today he has access to modern technologies and a larger team.
A Passion for the Medieval Era
In addition to his IT duties, Hans-Jürgen has a great passion for art and history. In his spare time, he takes on the role of a knight and gives medieval tours of castles like Burg Lichteneck. Dressed in traditional knight's attire, he provides visitors with vivid impressions of medieval history – an experience that especially delights children, who admire him as a “real knight.” For these tours, he even uses a custom-made sword with a Latin inscription: “I place you under my protection.”
Hans-Jürgen conducts about ten medieval tours per year, often with the help of his grandchildren. He is particularly proud that visitors have fun and learn something about the region's history. His tours are not just a hobby but a way to share his passion for history.
Historical Artworks and Medieval Atmosphere
Hans-Jürgen is also artistically active: he creates medieval facsimiles using iron gall ink and a quill, which are so realistic that they look like the originals. His works, including medieval watercolors of the town of Kenzingen and the founding document of the Adventure Club of Europe, are on display in exhibitions and museums. He is particularly proud of his favorite piece, “The Song of the Nibelungs,” which showcases medieval book illumination in all its splendor.
His clients are typically municipalities, museums, or even Europa-Park itself. For example, he created the founding document of the Adventure Club of Europe for the park, which is now displayed at the exit of the Pirates in Batavia attraction. Hans-Jürgen describes creating these works of art as a meditative activity that allows him to fully relax.
A Journey Through Europa-Park's History
At Europa-Park, Hans-Jürgen also gives historical tours of various historical buildings that are part of the park. These include Schloss Balthasar, a manor house from the 15th century that houses valuable exhibits, and even an original Hohenstaufen sword from the 12th century. The Vogtshaus, Germany's oldest half-timbered house built in 1474 and rescued by the Mack family, is another attraction for history enthusiasts.
Hans-Jürgen also highlights the chapel, which is older than Europa-Park itself and was built in 1954. It serves as the burial site of the last Baron Böcklin von Böcklinsau. These historical sites provide a fascinating complement to the modern amusement park experience and show how deeply the park's roots are embedded in the region's history.
A Perfect Blend of Technology and History
Hans-Jürgen van Akkeren demonstrates that technology and history can go hand in hand. During the week, he ensures the smooth operation of Europa-Park's technical infrastructure, allowing visitors to enjoy their day at the park without any issues. In his spare time, he brings history to life through his medieval tours. The combination of his two passions makes him a unique “Freizeit-Held” (leisure hero).
The safety of guests is particularly important to Hans-Jürgen. He replaces defective cameras to ensure park security and makes sure that lost items are safely stored for guests. These small tasks help ensure that visitors have an unforgettable time at Europa-Park.
Learn more in the new VEEJOY episode, “
Die Freizeit-Helden: The IT-Knight,” which is now available online.
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