A self-portrait by a woman is often much more than just an image of her face or body. It can be a powerful tool for addressing social issues, experimenting with photographic techniques or exploring her relationship with herself. In the exhibition I’ll Be Your Mirror – Women’s Self-Portraits from the Collection, the museum presents works from the collection by female artists who explore different approaches to photographic self-portraiture.
The exhibition shows intuitively how these artists use the self-portrait to explore or make powerful statements about sensitive themes such as abortion rights, colonial history and body positivity.
The exhibition features works by, among others, Karla Hiraldo Voleau, Mari Katayama, Thania Petersen, Laura Hospes and Hélène Amouzou.
Student city The Hague is once again looking for a promising and up-and-coming DJ! Starting now, students from vocational, higher professional, and university education (MBO, HBO, and WO) in The Hague can participate in the Student DJ Contest. Who will win the honor and perhaps even fame?!
The winner will receive their own performance at festivals in The Hague, including the Sena Performers Stage at the Liberation Festival on May 5, 2026, plus a cash prize.
Submit your tracks!
All students at participating educational institutions are welcome to participate. Upload a 30-60 minute demo to SoundCloud or MixCloud before January 31, 2026. The best entries will be invited to the Student DJ Contest Night on a Monday in March 2026 at Paardcafé, Prinsegracht 10. A professional jury will select the winner. Read all the instructions and terms and conditions on the website .
Are you, like Ikram, AFRITUDE, WEZZ and HALO, the next most promising Student DJ of the year?
The Student DJ Contest is an event of HI The Hague
The Hague is an attractive student city with a wide range of educational options. More than 35,000 full-time university and university of applied sciences students from the Netherlands and abroad, and almost 15,000 vocational students, study in The Hague.HI The Hague organizes activities throughout the year specifically for them, allowing them to connect and explore the city’s exciting attractions.
HI The Hague is an initiative ofPlatform Student & Stad. This platform is a collaboration between educational institutions in The Hague, the municipality of The Hague, and student organizations. The goal is to optimize the student environment and facilities for all students in The Hague. Student & Stad promotes activities within the city’s introductory program for students and manages thewebsite Study in The Hague.
In the 1950’s, a uniquely innovative and experimental art movement began to flourish in The Hague: the New Hague School. Inspired by the motto ‘ Freedom above all , the artists who were active in this movement between 1945 and 1975 rejected the respectable image of their predecessors in the Hague School. The New Hague School artists’ work is characterised by an exuberant use of colour. They expressed themselves in many ways, including abstract, non-figurative and modern figurative art. With this small exhibition – which marks the release of the publication by the same name, The New Hague School, 1945-1975, Freedom above all (2025, WBooks) by Saskia Gras – the Kunstmuseum hopes to draw renewed attention to a dynamic period in art history.
The New Hague School
The exhibition will focus on the diversity that existed in the postwar artistic community in The Hague, with particular attention to works by artists who tended to be overlooked at the time, including Jenny Dalenoord, Jan van Heel, Quirine Collard and Willem Schröfer. All works on display are from the museum’s own collection, with the exception of a number of remarkable posters from a private collection.
Words to live by
‘As the birds sing, so we should work,’ said artist Paul Citroen. Freedom of form and expression were key: tender and delicate for one, loud and raucous for another. In The Hague, subtle figuration and radical expression went hand in hand. ‘ Freedom above all’ was more than an artistic motto. It was a shared emotion and philosophy of life that deeply impacted The Hague’s artistic community and its institutions.
Publication
The richly illustrated book The New Hague School, 1945-1975, Freedom above all offers an overview of the major artists’ groups of the postwar era, such as Verve, De Nieuwe Ploeg, the Posthoorn Group, Equipe and Fugare. The publication also includes biographies of influential artists such as Paul Citroen, Lotti van der Gaag, Piet Ouborg, Co Westerik and many others. It is available in the museum shop.
Caption image: Piet Ouborg [1893-1956], The Sign, 1947, Oil on canvas, Kunstmuseum Den Haag
On Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., Theater De Regentes will present a colorful and festive dance performance in honour of Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Dance schools from The Hague and Amsterdam join forces in the performance Jyoti, taking the audience on a journey into the story of the stolen light from the temple. Along an exciting path through various Indian dance styles, the light is eventually found again.
A festival of light and dance Diwali is one of the most important celebrations in the Hindu tradition and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The festival is celebrated worldwide and is also a cherished moment of togetherness in the Netherlands. The performance Jyoti seamlessly connects to this and serves as an invitation to celebrate this festival together—regardless of background or age.
What visitors can expect
A sparkling dance performance by amateur dancers from Indian dance schools in The Hague and Amsterdam
An atmospheric program already starting upon entry at Theater De Regentes
About the organizers The performances are an initiative of Stichting Beyond Bharata Natyam and Dance School Aashish, made possible by a contribution from Cultuurschakel in The Hague.
The organizations Beyond Bharata Natyam and Aashish are dedicated to preserving and developing Indian heritage, which is actively practiced within the diaspora community (the Hindustani Surinamese community and Indians living here).
A Night at the Opera, a world premiere by Max Knigge and Fauré’s Requiem
During concerts in Amare in October, the Residentie Orkest will perform a world premiere by Max Knigge and masterpieces by Haydn, Rossini, Mozart, Shostakovich, Grieg, Beethoven and Andriessen. The Groot Omroepkoor will shine in Fauré’s Requiem. The conductors are Richard Egarr, Daniel Raiskin and Tianyi Lu; the soloists are mezzo-soprano Maria Warenberg, soprano Judith van Wanroij, baritone Raoul Steffani and Finnish master pianist Antti Siirala.
Fri 3 Oct, 8.15 p.m., Amare: A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
Mezzo-soprano Maria Warenberg, a dazzling operatic talent from the Netherlands, sings delightful dramatic arias by Haydn (Scena di Berenici and Se non piange un infelice from L’isola disabitata) and Rossini (Una voce poco fa from Il barbiere di Siviglia). But that’s not all — there are more musical fireworks in store on this Night at the Opera. Led by regular guest conductor Richard Egarr, the Residentie Orkest will perform Haydn’s experimental La Passione, Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 and Rossini’s overture from the light-hearted La scala di seta.
Fri 10 Oct, 8.15 p.m., Amare: SHOSTAKOVICH, GRIEG & WORLD PREMIERE MAX KNIGGE
Conducted by Daniel Raiskin, the Residentie Orkest will perform the world premiere of Eliza May by Dutch composer Max Knigge. This exciting and dynamic musical language is characteristic of this young Dutch composer. Eliza May is named after the protagonist in the literary hit Het lied van ooievaar en dromedaris (The Song of the Stork and the Dromedary) by Anjet Daanje. Knigge set scenes from the novel to music. Knigge: “I was captivated by the mysterious and fascinating world surrounding the character Eliza May Drayden and tried to capture the colours, mysteries, characters and motifs in music.” The programme also includes Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6 and Grieg’s Piano Concerto with soloist Antti Siirala.
Sat 11 Oct, 8.30 p.m., Amare: RO NOW with SHOSTAKOVICH & GRIEG
You will hear and experience more during RO NOW, where you will be immersed in the most beautiful symphonic music. Christiaan Kuyvenhoven, the presenter, will provide stimulating examples and explanations beforehand, together with the orchestra. This will give you an insight into these special compositions. As for the concert itself? Expect music that surprises, moves and stays with you. After the concert, be sure to linger in the foyer, where live music, a drink on the house and a cosy atmosphere will bring the evening to a close. On this special RO NOW, the Residentie Orkest, conducted by Daniel Raiskin, will perform Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6, a masterpiece of sharpness and introspection, and Grieg’s Piano Concerto, a brilliant dialogue between piano and orchestra, steeped in romance and northern fervour. The soloist is the award-winning Finnish master pianist Antti Siirala.
Fri 17 & Sun 19 Oct, Amare: FAURÉ’S REQUIEM
One of Europe’s finest choirs, the Groot Omroepkoor, will perform Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful ever composed. Fauré’s Requiem is unique in its intimacy and serenity. All fear and worry are cast aside, leaving only timelessness. The musical direction is in the hands of Tianyi Lu, a New Zealand conductor known for her openness, creativity, and engaging style. She is the perfect choice to convey not only Fauré’s intimacy, but also the playful and charming Symphony No. 4 by Beethoven and the beautiful Miroir de Peine by Hendrik Andriessen. This composition is full of beautiful vocal lines and takes listeners on a journey through the Passion of Jesus as seen through the eyes of his mother Mary. The soloists are soprano Judith van Wanroij and baritone Raoul Steffani, winner of the 2023 Dutch Music Prize.
Photos above: Judith van Wanroij, Antti Siirala, Maria Warenberg, Max Knigge & Tianyi Lu
With autumn officially on our doorsteps, the Kunstmuseum’s latest exhibition provides a lovely activity for fashion and history lovers.
The exhibition is more than a glimpse into older styles in fashion. It’s a link between past and present, weaving together authentic garments from the 1910s, original costumes from James Cameron’s 1997 film Titanic, and contemporary fashion that revisits those same flowing silhouettes, laces, and romantic hues. Curator Madelief Hohé calls it a story of “transitions” — from corseted elegance to freer forms, from optimism to uncertainty — themes that feel surprisingly familiar today.
Our very own city, has a unique link to the grand ship. Local firm H.P. Mutters & Son of The Hague, crafted interiors for some of Titanic’s most luxurious cabins while in collaboration with the Hengelosche Trijpweverij, which supplied refined printed velvet for wall coverings. Dutch craftmanship was onboard too.
Some stand out pieces you can lookout for include the black lace and velvet Edwardian dress Kate Winslet’s character, Rose, wore in the staircase scene and the royal blue velvet gown from the famous ‘’I’m flying!’’ scene with Leonardo DiCaprio’s, Jack. Combined with work by contemporary designers like Iris van Herpen, John Galliano for Margiela, Craig Green, and Tess van Zalinge, this exhibition is a must-see.
Text and images below: Sherika Rooplal-Clappers, who attended the press preview on behalf of The Hague Online
Sherika Rooplal-Clappers is a contributing writer for The Hague Online, covering culture, lifestyle, and local events. With a passion for storytelling and international perspectives, she highlights the people, places, and experiences that make The Hague a dynamic city.Connect with Sherika here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherika-rooplal/ https://www.instagram.com/sherikarooplal/
