Each year, two cities belonging to countries of the European Union are designated European Capitals of Culture. In 2018, Leeuwarden is one of them. On this occasion, this city, located in Friesland in the north of the Netherlands, is developing a program of events which highlights the richness of its heritage and the liveliness of its culture, whether learned or popular. This is something to make you want to go take a look and discover the Friesland region.

At the top of the Netherlands: Leeuwarden and Friesland

Leeuwarden is the capital of Friesland (Friesland in Dutch), the northern province of the Netherlands, which is located north of Amsterdam, close to Germany, and on the North Sea coast.

An original culture developed there, under Germanic influence – there is also a Friesland on the other side of the border (Ostfriesland). Here we speak Frisian as much as Dutch.

Marked by the presence of polders, it is a region very appreciated for its lakes, as well as for its islands which follow one another in dotted lines in the Wadden Sea (listed as World Heritage by Unesco).

Its main city is therefore Leeuwarden which, like other cities in the area, is crossed by canals and has a remarkable historic center – 600 monuments have been identified.

It walks it nicely by not wanting to go see eg Grote of Jacob ijnerkerk, a large medieval church, or Old ehove, a leaning tower of 40 meters high which dates back to the 16 th century. It should have become a very slender steeple if design errors had not interrupted its construction!

Leeuwarden also has museums such as the Museum haven, which exhibits in the city’s harbor ancient ships, the Keramiek museum Princessehof (ceramic), the Nature museum Fryslân (nature of Friesland), or the Fries Museum, which is devoted to the arts and to the Frisian culture.

Ask for the program

The festivities take place in Leeuwarden and throughout Friesland. The program gives the opportunity to discover a city and a part of the Netherlands that is relatively unknown. Here is a selection of events that will particularly enliven them this year.

“Mata Hari” exhibition (until April 2)

Presented at the Fries Museum, this exhibition tells the story of the mythical spy who was active during the First World War, for the benefit of the Germans. Margaretha Geertruida Zelle was born in 1876 in Leeuwarden and became famous in Paris under the name of Mata Hari, giving performances of Javanese dances. Unmasked, it was executed in 1917 in Vincennes.

“Escher en Voyage” exhibition (from April 28 to October 28)

Also, a native of Leeuwarden, the brilliant designer Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972) is world famous, especially for his fascinating compositions showing stairs that are both logical and impossible. The Fries Museum pays tribute to him.

Installation of 11 Artists’ Fountains (from May 18)

11 Frisian cities will each be adorned with a fountain designed according to their identity by a different artist. For example, Jean-Michel Othoniel is the author of the one we will see at Franeker (we owe him the entrance to the Palais-Royal metro station in Paris). These fountains will remain on site after 2018.

8ste Dag (all year round from July 8)

A huge machine that sets in motion a number of objects is to be seen in Leeuwarden. Full of fantasy, this work called “8 th Day” illustrates the fact that a society only exists if there are permanent interactions between its members.

Royal de Luxe (August 17-19)

The giants of this Nantes troop will stop in Leeuwarden where they will walk, eat and sleep on the streets! Their show will tell a story inspired by that of Friesland.

“De Stormruiter” (from September 6 to October 3)

This theatrical, musical and equestrian show is an adaptation of “The Man with the White Horse”, short story by Theodor Storm, which itself refers to a legendary character, a ghost announcing storms and destroyed dikes… At WTC Expo Leeuwarden.

Sense of place

Under this title are gathered 25 creations of architects and artists, in particular of land art, visible on the coast of Friesland.

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