No Dutch? No problem!
Programme for non-Dutchies
Noorderzon is for everyone. Even if you don't speak a word of Dutch. We’ve curated a broad and diverse selection of performances and events that are either spoken in English, subtitled in English, or where language plays little to no role at all.
From experimental theatre and groundbreaking performances to short lectures and immersive experiences, there’s plenty to explore without needing to understand Dutch.
A peek inside the programme
Among the theatre highlights is Plagiary, a sharp and playful performance that blurs the lines between originality and imitation in the digital age. Meanwhile, French artist Antoine Defoort brings wit and warmth to Save Your Projects (and Perhaps the World), a theatrical TED-style talk filled with big ideas and unexpected laughs. These two shows are just a small taste — the main programme features many more groundbreaking performances from around the world.
The &Society programme offers thoughtful encounters and new perspectives through talkshows, performances and activities. For example in What’s the Taste of Our Clothes?, artists invite you on a sensory journey through the global world of textiles . Or explore the city through a different lens during Wandeling door het slavernijverleden, a guided walk through Groningen’s slavery past.
Music lovers can enjoy something truly special with pianist and composer Zubin Kanga in the intimate setting of the Lutherse Kerk. Blending piano, electronics, and visuals, his performance explores how technology shapes music and creativity in surprising ways. Besides that, there are three concerts in the Pollux and daily there is an extensive free music programme on Apollo, Podium de Raaf, and Callisto. View the complete music programme here, or check out our playlist with all the music that will play at the festival.
Hidden gems await in the Container Programme, where intimate digital art experiences and creative collaborations unfold in small, surprising spaces. Explore emerging digital work in EMBED Emerging Digital Arts, and BARTONDISPLAY, experience intimate dance performances by Juersson Hermanus or Gaja Caruso, or lastly discover Groningen’s own vibrant music scene through Zeevonk Records, a showcase of local artists.
And if you’re visiting with your kids, Noorderzon offers a variety of creative activities to enjoy with your little ones. There are plenty of chances to create, imagine, and explore together.
Whether you’re into experimental theatre, live music, thought-provoking readings, or simply a relaxing afternoon in the park, Noorderzon welcomes you. Come explore, be surprised, and enjoy the festival your way.
This is not everything! View the complete non-Dutchie programme here.
