34th edition Noorderzon Festival attracts 140,000 visitors with controversial and confrontational programme
On Sunday 1 September, the well-attended 34th edition of Noorderzon Festival of Performing Arts & Society successfully concluded. From 22 August, 140,000 visitors spread over 11 days visited the festival in the sun-drenched Noorderplantsoen and in many venues - from theatre to community centre - in Groningen city centre. The festival went from having to evacuate because of a storm on the first Saturday, to a heatwave in the final weekend. Every year, Noorderzon presents a unique combination of challenging international theatre, inspiring talks and a city festival that is free and open to all. This makes the Noorderplantsoen and various locations in Groningen's city centre the highlight of the Groningen summer for many at the end of August.
With more than 300 different programme sections making up more than 750 performance moments, visitors could choose from a wide range of theatre, dance, circus, talks, lectures, concerts, installations and a children's programme. From international theatre seen nowhere else in the Netherlands about the dangers of the rise of right-wing extremism - showered with five-star reviews - to innovative local theatre makers in a container. And from pressing conversations on climate, the colonial past, the future of art and culture to a panel on out-of-control hobbies or the influence of memes: the wide range of programme was very well attended. The need to chat was great, the involvement felt and felt in the halls.
Visitors enthusiastically combined the extensive international and local programme, with more than 80 per cent of the halls, tents and containers filled, with a summer festival in the idyllic and freely accessible Noorderplantsoen. For 11 days, Noorderzon set the stage for an exploration of an exciting international, national and local programme, starring people.
‘Nothing more enjoyable at a festival than ‘watching people’, deep in their souls.’ - De Volkskrant about Noorderzon 2024.
Director Femke Eerland waves goodbye
For festival director Femke Eerland (48), this was her last year in this role after 16 years. Under her inspiring leadership, the festival grew from a summer event into a major international arts festival that put Groningen on the map at home and abroad. With as icing on the cake its accession to the cultural Basic Infrastructure (BIS), the national cultural subsidy system. Now that Noorderzon can count on a position as one of the eight festivals in the BIS for the second time, Eerland has successfully completed her task. The organisation will miss her terribly.
Uncertain future of Noorderzon
The great success of widely accessible arts festivals like Noorderzon is under pressure. Despite the wonderful reviews by the Council for Culture and the Arts Council, the investments in festivals like Noorderzon for the future are nowhere near enough to absorb all the price increases of recent years. The positive impact and reach of festivals is huge, which requires continued investment to keep them resilient and accessible for now and in the future. In addition, a VAT increase on tickets over the arts and culture sector is nearby. The sector has just rebounded from the corona period and now really needs structural investments to secure a sustainable future.
Noorderzon 2025 takes place from Thursday 14 to Sunday 24 August.
