An Englishmen's Guide To The Efteling
  • Home
  • Efteling
    • Efteling Theme Park
    • Maps
    • Ticket Price
    • Attractions >
      • Fantasierijk (Fantasy Realm) >
        • Het Huis Van De Vijf Zintuigen
        • Efteling Theatre
        • Square - Dwarrelplein (Flutter Square)
        • Aquanura
        • Path - Pardoes Promenade
        • Pardoes Podium (Pardoes Stage)
        • Watertafel (Water Table)
        • Symbolica
      • Marerijk (Lore Realm) >
        • Diorama
        • Stoomcarrousel (Merry go round)
        • Sprookjesbos (Fairy tale forest) >
          • De Sprookjessprokkelaar (The Fairy Tale Gatherer)
          • De Heks (The Witch)
          • Doornroosje (Sleeping beauty)
          • Het Kabouterdorp (The Gnome village)
          • De Zes Dienaren (The Six Servants)
          • Roodkapje (Little Red Riding Hood)
          • Pinokkio (Pinocchio)
          • De Rode Schoentjes (The Red Shoes)
          • De Trollenkoning (The Troll King)
          • Het Stoute Prinsesje (The Naughty Princess)
          • Raponsje (Rapunzel)
          • De Kleine Zeemeermin (The Little Mermaid)
          • Draak Lichtgeraakt (The Cranky Dragon)
          • De Wolf En De Zeven Geitjes (The Wolf and The Seven Kids)
          • Hans En Grietje (Hansel and Gretel)
          • Herautenplein (Herald Square)
          • Vrouw Holle (Mother Holle)
          • Kleine Boodschap (Little Message)
          • Herberg De Ersteling (The Firstling Inn)
          • Sneeuwwitje (Snow White)
          • De Bruidsjurk Van Guinevere (Guinevere's Bridal Gown)
          • De Zes Zwanen (The Six Swans)
          • Assepoester(Cinderella)
          • De Kikkerkoning (The Frog Prince)
          • De Magische Klok (The Magic Clock)
          • De Indische Waterlelies (The Indian Water Lilies)
          • Klein Duimpje (Tom Thumb)
          • Repelsteeltje (Rumpelstiltskin)
          • Het Meisje Met De Zwavelstokjes (The Little Match Girl)
          • Kniesoor (Grumblebore)
          • De Nieuwe Kleren Van De Keizer (The Emperors New Clothes)
          • Sprookjesboom (Fairy Tales Tree)
          • De Tuinman En De Fakir (The Gardener and The Fakir)
          • Sprookjesboom Parkshow (Fairy Tale Tree Park Show)
          • De Chinese Nachtegaal (The Chinese Nightingale)
          • Siertuin (Decorative Garden)
        • Square - St Nicolaas Plein (St Nicolas Square)
        • Square - Ton van de Ven Plein (Ton Van De Ven Square)
        • Stoomtrein (Steamtrain)
        • Droomvlucht (Dream Flight)
        • Droomvlucht VR
        • Raveleijn
        • Villa Volta
        • Kindervreugd Speeltuin (Childrens Happiness Playground)
        • Het Volk Van Laaf (People Of Laaf) >
          • Laaf tour
          • Loetwiek
          • Lonkhuys (Ogle House)
          • Lot’s Kraamhuys (Lot's Maternity House)
          • Lal’s Brouwhuys (Lal's Brewing House)
          • Lurk en Limoenhuys (Lurk and Lime House)
          • Leunhuys (Lean House)
          • Loof en Eerhuys (Praise and Honour house)
          • Lijn’s Zweefhuys (Lijn's Floating House)
          • Lavelhuys (Lavel House)
          • Leerhuys (Learning House)
          • Glijhuys (Sliding House)
          • Loerhuys (Looking House)
          • Lariekoek Huys (Humbug House)
          • Lach Huys (Laugh House)
          • Leed Huys (House of Pain)
          • Slakkenhuys (Snails House)
        • Square - Anton Pieckplein (Anton Pieck Square) >
          • Muzikantenpoort (Musicians Gate)
          • Het Ballonnenvrouwtje ( The Balloon lady)
          • Het Efteling Museum (The Efteling Museum)
          • De Bremerse Stadsmuziekanten (Town Musicians of Bremen)
          • Het Smidje (The Smithy)
          • De Vlinder Molen (The Butterfly Carousel)
          • Den Kleine Zweefmolen (The Little Chair Swing Ride)
          • Den Grote Zweefmolen (The Big Chair Swing Ride)
          • De Anton Pieck Molen (The Anton Pieck Carousel)
          • De Drinkebroer (The Drinking Fellow)
          • Zwaan Kleef Aan (The Golden Swan)
          • De Gekroonde Eend (The Crowned Duck)
          • Vermolenmolen (Milled Mill)
          • Het Ganzenhoedstertje (The Goose Girl)
          • De Stenen Kip (The Stone Hen)
      • Reizenrijk (Travelrealm) >
        • Path - Dubbellaan
        • Speelweide (Play Meadow)
        • Carnaval Festival
        • Sirocco
        • Vogelrok (Bird Roc)
        • Kleuterhof (Toddlers Court)
        • Siervijver (Decorative Pond)
        • Archipel
        • De Gondoletta (The Gondoletta)
        • Pagode (Pagoda)
        • Path - De Steenen Brug (The Stone Bridge)
        • Wensput (Wishing Well)
        • Path - Stonehenge
        • Path - De Houten Brug (The Wooden Bridge)
        • Path - Siervijverpad
      • Ruigrijk (Rough Realm) >
        • Kinderspoor (The Children's Pedal Trains)
        • Game Gallery
        • De Halve Maen (The Half Moon)
        • D'Oude Tuffer (The Old Puffer)
        • Nest!
        • Stoomtrein (Steamtrain)
        • Spot - Python Field
        • Python
        • Joris En De Draak (George And The Dragon)
        • De Vliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman)
        • Path - Duinpad (Dune path)
        • Baron 1898
      • Anderrijk (Other Realm) >
        • Fabula
        • De Dierenwereld (The Animal World)
        • Piraña Tuin
        • Path - Piraña Island
        • Piraña
        • New in 2024: Dance Macabre
        • Path - Heksenpad (Witches Path)
        • Max & Moritz
        • Square - Max & Moritz Plein (Max & Moritz Square)
        • Fata Morgana (Mirage)
      • Rides closed for maintenance
      • Seasonal Events >
        • Spring
        • Summer Efteling >
          • Midsummer Night >
            • Midsummer Festival 2017
            • Midsummer Festival 2016
            • Midsummer Festival 2015
          • Summer Events >
            • Summer Events 2022
            • Summer Events 2019
            • Summer Events 2018
            • Summer Events 2017
            • Summer Events 2016
            • Summer Events 2015
            • Summer Events 2014
            • Summer Events 2013
        • Autumn
        • Winter Efteling >
          • Winter Events >
            • Winter Events 2022-2023
            • Winter Events 2021-2022
            • Winter Events 2020-2021
            • Winter Events 2019-2020
            • Winter Events 2018-2019
            • Winter Events 2017-2018
            • Winter Events 2016-2017
            • Winter Events 2015-2016
            • Winter Events 2014-2015
            • Winter Events 2012-2013
          • New Years Eve >
            • New Years Eve 2022-2023
            • New Years Eve 2021-2022
            • New Years Eve 2019-2020
            • New Years Eve 2018-2019
            • New Years Eve 2017-2018
            • New Years Eve 2016-2017
            • New Years Eve 2015-2016
            • New Years Eve 2014-2015
    • Park
    • Entertainment
    • Guest Services >
      • Bicycle Storage
      • Parking
      • Service Building
      • Cash Machines
      • E.H.B.O. (First Aid)
      • Quiet Room
      • Lost
      • Disability
      • Baby Switch
      • Photopass
      • Single Rider Queue
      • Bins - Holle Bolle Gijs (Big Mouth)
      • Toilets >
        • W.C. Huis Van De Vijf Zintuigen (House Of the Five Senses)
        • W.C. Efteling Theatre
        • W.C. Fabula
        • W.C. Outside Polles Keuken (Polles Kitchen)
        • W.C. Inside Polles Keuken (Polles Kitchen)
        • W.C. Carouselpaleis (Carousel Palace)
        • W.C. Kleine Boodschap (Little Message)
        • W.C. t' Gemack (The Comfort)
        • W.C. Het Witte Paard (The White Horse)
        • W.C. Droomvlucht (Dreamflight)
        • W.C. Het Wapen Van Raveleijn
        • W.C. Carnaval Festival
        • W.C. Achter de Meermin (Behind the Mermaid)
        • W.C. Station De Oost (The Eastern Station)
        • New in 2023: W.C. De Laetste Hoop (The Last Hope)
        • W.C. Bäckerei Krümel (Bakery Crumb)
        • W.C. Fata Morgana
      • Souvenir Express
    • Souvenirs >
      • Efteldingen
      • Penny Press Machines
      • Donkey Lift Your Tail
      • Marskramer
      • Spiegeltje, Spiegeltje (Mirror, Mirror)
      • Het Smidje (The Smithy)
      • De Gekroonde Eend (The Crowned Duck)
      • De Stenen Kip (The Stone Hen)
      • Dromerijen
      • Confetti
      • Jokies Wereld (Jokies World)
      • De Bazaar
      • Fabula Savannebar
      • New in 2024: Dr. Charlatans Kwalycke Zaken (Dr. Charlatans Objectionable Wares)
      • Twinkel Depot
    • Opening Hours
    • Weather
    • Group Arrangements
    • Reviews
  • Food
    • Efteling Park >
      • Pinokkio's restaurant
      • Loreley
      • Chez Vitalis Event Space
      • Coffee Cart
      • Hollandsche Gebakkraam (Dutch pastry stand)
      • ​Fabula Wereldkeuken (Fabula World Kitchen)
      • Fabula Savannebar
      • De Gebrande Boon (The Roasted Bean)
      • Glad Ijs (Smooth Ice)
      • Polles Keuken (Polles Kitchen)
      • De Smaeckmaker (The Taste Maker)
      • Rondje Van De Molen (The Mill's Round)
      • Diorama Cafe
      • Carousel Paleis Bar (Carousel Palace)
      • Kogeloog (Bullet Eye)
      • Kleyne Klaroen (Little Clarion)
      • Gelaarsde kat (Puss In Boots)
      • ' t Gebraad (The Roast)
      • Het Witte Paard (The White Horse)
      • Ijssalon La Dame Blanche
      • Het Wapen van Raveleijn (The Weapon of Raveleijn)
      • Den Gulden Gaarde (The Golden Whisk)
      • Hoorn Des Overvloeds (Horn Of Plenty)
      • Ijssalon Den Suykerbuyk (Ice Cream Parlor The Sugarbelly)
      • Smulpaap II (Gourmand II) >
        • Den Olycke Tweelingh (The ​Mischievous Twins)
      • T poffertje (The Little Dutch Pancake)
      • De Soete Inval (The Sweets Invasion)
      • ' t Suykerhuys
      • Confetti
      • Kashba >
        • Nomad
      • T Korfje (The Little Hive)
      • Flierefluiter (Fidlyfidler)
      • Toko pagode (Toko Pagode)
      • De Meermin (The Mermaid)
      • De Verleiding (The Temptation)
      • Station De Oost (The Eastern Station) >
        • De Hongerige Machinist (The Hungry Engineer)
        • Wachtruimte 1e Klas (1st Class Waiting Room)
        • De Verse Oogst (The Fresh Harvest)
        • De Brutale Aap (The Cheeky Monkey)
        • De Rustende Reiziger (The Resting Traveller)
      • De Likkebaerd
      • ’t Verwende Nest! (The Spoiled Brat!)
      • De Kombuys (The Galley)
      • Het Melkhuysje (The Milk House)
      • Yoghurt Bar/De Verkleumde Kompel
      • Casa caracol (Snail House)
      • New in 2023: In den Swarte kat (In The Black Cat)
      • New in 2023: ’t Koetshuys (The Coach House)
      • Bäckerei Krümel
      • Frau Boltes Küche
      • Burger Backerij (Burger Bakery)
      • Oase (Oasis)
      • De Eigenheymer
      • Unox
      • Food Dispensers
      • Picnic Spots
    • Bosrijk >
      • Bosrijk Eethuys >
        • Eethuys Food Delivery Service
      • Kleyn Warehuis (Little Warehouse)
    • Het Loonsche Land >
      • De Proeftuyn
    • Efteling Hotel >
      • Roomservice
      • De Gelagkamer
      • De Hoffelijke Heraut
      • Koninklijke Kasteelzaal (Royal Castle Hall)
    • Kaatsheuvel >
      • Supermarket
    • Tilburg >
      • Supermarket
  • Transport
  • Accommodation
    • Bosrijk >
      • Benefits >
        • Standard Services
        • Bosrijk Information Book
      • Reception
      • Eethuys >
        • Eethuys Food Delivery Service
        • Groceries Service
        • Party Package
      • Kleyn Waerenhuys (Little Warehouse) Store
      • Badhuys (Bath House)
      • Klaas Vaak Show (Mr Sandman Show)
      • Nature
      • Poorthuys Familiekamers (Gatehouse Family Rooms) >
        • Poorthuys Familiekamers (Gatehouse Family Rooms) Sleeps 4
      • Landhuys Rooms (Manor House Rooms) >
        • Landhuys Secluded Familiekamer (Manor House Family room) Sleeps 4​
        • VIP Landhuys Familiekamer (Manor House Family room) Sleeps 4​
      • Boshuys (Woodland Cottages) >
        • Boshuys (Woodland Cottage) Sleeps 6
        • VIP Boshuys (VIP Woodland Cottage) Sleeps 6
        • Boshuys (Woodland Cottage) Sleeps 8
        • VIP Boshuys (VIP Woodland Cottage) Sleeps 8
      • Dorpshuys (Village Cottages) >
        • Dorpshuys (Village House) Sleeps 6
        • Dorpshuys (Village House) Sleeps 8
      • Group Accommodation Sleeps 12
      • Specially adapted Cottages
      • Reviews
      • Booking >
        • Travel Documents
    • Het Loonsche Land >
      • Benefits
      • Reception
      • De Proeftuyn
      • Eethuys Food Delivery Service
      • De Pluktuyn
      • De Hooimijt
      • Nature
      • Hotel Rooms >
        • Hotel Room Sleeps 5
        • Hotel Room Sleeps 6
      • Themed Rooms >
        • Tree View Sleeps 4
        • Tree View Sleeps 6
        • Lake View Sleeps 6
        • Dune View Sleeps 6
      • Holiday Homes >
        • Holiday Home Sleeps 6 >
          • Holiday Home Woodland House Sleeps 6
          • Holiday Home Heathland House Sleeps 6
          • Holiday Home Dune House Sleeps 6
        • Holiday Home Sleeps 12 >
          • Holiday Home Woodland House Sleeps 12
          • Holiday Home Dune House Sleeps 12
          • Holiday Home Schaapskooi Sleeps 12
    • Efteling Hotel >
      • Benefits
      • Amenities
      • Rooms >
        • Double Comfort Room (2 people)
        • Family Comfort Room (4 People)
        • 5 Person Comfort Room
        • Junior Suite
        • Excellence Suite
        • The Guilded Suite
        • Coca Cola Suite
        • Circus Suite
        • Carrousel Suite
        • Wonderwater Suite
        • Kings Suite
        • Pardoes Suite
        • Laaf Suite
        • The Flying Dutchman Suite
        • Raveleijn Suite
        • Fata Morgana Suite
        • Hans Christian Andersen Suite
        • Sprookjesboom Suite
        • Cinderella Suite
        • Sleeping Beauty Suite
        • Red Riding Hood
        • Hansel and Gretel Suite
        • Snow White Suite
        • The Wolf and the 7 Kids Suite
      • Booking
      • Reviews
    • Efteling Grand Hotel opens 2024
    • Other
  • TV
  • News
    • 2020 - Current
    • 2010 - 2019
    • 2000-2009
    • 1990-1999
    • 1980-1989
    • 1970-1979
    • 1960-1969
    • 1950-1959
    • 1940-1949
    • 1930-1939
  • Photos
  • Contact
  • Downloads
  • Links

Het Volk Van Laaf

Picture
The Efteling is home to a special group of people – the Laafs. All over Laafland you can see the Laafs go about their daily business. They go to school, make music and uhm… like to take naps! The bakers are busy baking their bread, but oh dear... watch out! There’s one hanging onto the windmill’s sail!

Why not take a walk through Laafland to discover more of these interesting creatures, or alternatively, get a bird’s eye view from the Monorail above.

The People of Laaf moved to the Efteling in 1990 and were invented by Ton van Veen. The Monorail takes visitors on over and across Laafland. The 450 metres of rail take you past all of the sights in this quaint little place. 

360 Panorama View
360 Panorama View

1. Lonkhuys (Oglehouse):
This is the first house you see when you walk into the Laven Laar.
From this house you have a good overview of the town square.
(You also pass through here on the monorail)

2. Lot’s Kraamhuys (Lot's Maternity House):
In the Maternity House, the small Laven are reared by Ancient Mother Lot.
There she also draws the lots of the elderly population of Laaf, so they can continue to live peacefully again.
There is also an old Laaf, you can tell by his belly how often his lot was drawn.
Did you know that there are two Laven with the same name?

3. Lal’s Brouwhuys (Lal's Brewing House):
This is the brewery of the Laven.
They make the tastiest drinks like Lal: Laafse Lurk, Lebber and Lime.
Outside a Laaf is sleeping quietly.

4.  Lurk en Limoenhuys (Lurk and Lime House):
Formerly a kind of cafe where the visitor could enjoy all Laafse delicacies.
Now an eternal 'work in progress'

5. Leunhuys (Lean House):
This is also one of the houses the monorail passes through.
Sitting on top of a bar are a few Laafjes.
when one of the small Laven turns on the power to the lamp, the Laaf that’s holding the lamp will get a jolt.

6. Loof en Eerhuys (Praise and Honour house):
This is where the Laven came out of the ground in 1990 NC.
You can see the hole they came out of and the stairs they used to come out.
On the other side of the building is the statue of Father Laaf,
who at the beginning of the long journey kicked the great bucket.

7.  Lijn’s Zweefhuys (Lijn's Floating House):
A Floating House, that really floats above the water.
On both sides you can use a sort of rope bridge to enter the Floating Huys.

8. Lavelhuys (LavelHouse):
This is also one of the houses the monorail passes through. In the house you see some typical Laven stuff.

9. Leerhuys (Learning House):
Laven also go to school. In Learninghouse teacher Lavi teaches the Laven.
Picture
Image Source: Laaf.nl

10. Glijhuys (SlidingHuys):
Besides learning there is also time for fun, in the Sliding house there are a number of slides.
On the roof a busy chimney sweep is sweeping clean the chimney.

11. Loerhuys (Looking House):
In the Looking House you will see a well that tells the story of The People of Laaf. The story is told by Wieteke van Dort.

12. Lariekoek Huys (Humbug House):
Every village has a bakery, so this one does too.
You can see the bakers make their bread and Humbugs.
Above the balcony is a Laaf who is angry at another Laaf who is stuck in the sails of the windmill.

13. Lach Huys (Laugh House):
This cottage has a special staircase,
every step has a unique sound.

14. Leed Huys (House of Pain):
The name says it all, you come here if you have suffered,
it is therefore a first aid post.

15. Slakkenhuys (Snails House):
This is the start / end point of the monorail.
​​​​​​​Relive the experience in this 360 VR POV!

Translation

​This dialogue is continuously played in the Loerhuys (Looking House) in the Dutch language. Please find below a translation for your benefit.
​A long time ago, millions of years ago, there lived a merry little folk in the North Pole. For where now it is freezing cold, back then it was nice and warm. This nation consisted of Great Father Laaf, Great Mother Lot and their children, the Laven. They called themselves the People of Laaf.
Picture
Picture
​One bad day, a very bad day, they were struck by a great disaster because suddenly it was terribly cold and that is exactly the one thing Laven cannot stand. Freezing rain came down from the heavens day and night. Everything died! Naturally, this danger also threatened the Laven for without heat they cannot live. Then they would irrevocably die! Then they die the big death! Of course Laven sometimes just die, but then, like at birth, Mother Lot taps them on their laaf navel to give them life and they go on living happily ever after.
​But when the cold air kept getting icier they had to do something. Father Laaf thought deeply. So deeply you could almost hear him thinking: "I have it!” he suddenly shouted. "Laven we will go travel, go deep into the bosom of mother earth, because there it is warm". The Laven began to dig and dig. They dug day and night as if their lives depended on it. Of course it did: “This is our only chance! In the depths of mother earth we can survive!”. The hole grew deeper and deeper.
Picture
Picture
​
The deep, dark polar night wrapped itself around the land of the Laven and the Laven disappeared into the big hole. They would never see their own dear land again but they were saved. Before they closed the big hole everyone was counted to make sure everyone was inside.

No! Father Laaf was not in the hole. A few very brave Laven crawled up to the edge of the large hole to look for him. Oh! And there was Father Laaf, frozen stiff! He had been searching for Mother Lot because he did not know she was already safely down in the hole. Great Father Laaf had died the big death! The death from which he will never awaken.
​As happy as the Laven were about their salvation, they were terribly sad about the tragic lot of Father Laaf. For the first time in their long lives, the Laven cried. It was the day of great sorrow. The suffering of Great Mother  Lot was so great that the Laven made a plan to comfort her. They created a beautiful golden statue of Father Laaf.

The statue of Father Laaf gave Mother Lot courage again and gave her people new strength. They could move forward and begin their long journey through the depths of the earth...searching for a new land.
Picture
Picture
​On their thousand year search they came across all sorts of things. Remains of past lives, large animals, animals so big that the curious Laven needed ladders to carve them out. They made beautiful drawings of these animals to capture what it was like back then. 
​The Laven crossed the great oil sea, a sticky mess that stunk badly and where you should be very careful with fire.
Picture
Picture
Image Source: Efteling Facebook
​And everywhere they went they dug a tunnel up to the surface of the earth, to see if the land above was pleasant enough for them to live there forever. This is how the volcanoes were created, from which lava still often spouts. But no matter how far they travelled or how often they came up to look, what they sought they could not find.

​Until one day something strange happened. High above their heads sounded joyous music and suddenly they heard the loud cry "Alaaf! Alaaf!". 

Now you should know that “Alaaf” is actually the collective cry of the Laven. They could not wait and rushed to dig a tunnel and what they saw exceeded their wildest expectations. Colourfully dressed people who sang and danced as if their lives were about nothing but fun. This was their new home land.
​The Laven observed how people built their houses and copied it in their own way. The people of Laaf built their village here in the Efteling and they called it, The Lavenlaar. 
Picture
Take a good look at how they live. They look a bit like us, and who knows, they have learned some things from us maybe we can learn something from them.
​The translation in a handy PDF
volk_van_laaf.pdf
File Size: 2115 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

​A handy audio file of the translation
volk_van_laaf_loerhuys_english_demo.mp3
File Size: 4111 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

​A compilation of all the translations of all the audio stories you may come across in the Efteling.
audio_reference_booklet_version_3.pdf
File Size: 1709 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Read the official Efteling version of the story in 'En Ze Leven Nog Lang en Gelukkig' available from the souvenir stores (Only in Dutch)
Picture

2004: Lurk and Lime house snack point is closed

10-10-1990: Mother Lot marries Father Laaf post posthumously at Kaatsheuvel city hall

Picture
Image Source: Kroniek van een Sprookje

1990: Lurk and Lime house snack point is built

12-04-1990: The Laaf village is finished and opens to the public

November 1989: The People Of Laaf emerge 

Picture
Image Source: Efteling Facebook
Picture
Image Source: Mam een duppie voor de kip
Picture
Previous
Next
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.