Over the past year The Hague’s museum collection has been enriched with work by contemporary artists who offer new perspectives on the world around us. Recently, Kunstmuseum Den Haag has added monumental works by Oscar Murillo, Steffani Jemison, Moshekwa Langa, Randa Mirza and Emma Talbot to its collection. These works are now on show in the international group exhibition New New Babylon – Visions for Another Tomorrow.
Kunstmuseum Den Haag is redirecting its collection, with a view to enhancing its multivocality and topical relevance. The monumental works by Steffani Jemison, Moshekwa Langa, Randa Mirza, Oscar Murillo and Emma Talbot have added important contemporary voices to the collection. The new acquisitions highlight the museum’s new programme line Making the Future, which considers not only what is lacking, but actively creates room for artists who challenge and enrich the canon, with an optimistic, critical and unifying take on the past, present and future.
“Collecting means thinking ahead. We are investing in makers who manage to visualise major issues – sometimes in monumental work, sometimes in small poetic pieces. These works speak to the icons in our collection, from Mondrian to Rego and from Constant to Monet. I am incredibly proud that we have been able to make this happen, thanks to the support of many.” – Margriet Schavemaker, general director, Kunstmuseum Den Haag
Oscar Murillo, disrupted frequencies, 2013-2022 Over a period of twelve years Oscar Murillo (b. 1986, CO), his studio team and his family collected thousands of drawings by young humans from all over the world, made on canvases that were attached to their desks for months. The drawings have been made into a monumental patchwork, like a collective consciousness of time. Connected by streaks of blue paint that are reminiscent of the sea or sky, the installation outlines a visionary world beyond geopolitical borders. Its acquisition of disrupted frequencies makes Kunstmuseum Den Haag the first Dutch museum to add work by Oscar Murillo to its collection, building on his first Dutch solo exhibition Social Cataracts at KM21 (2021).
Emma Talbot, Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?, 2022 Emma Talbot (b. 1969, UK) reflects on the human tendency to flee to an allegedly ‘natural’ world at times of crisis. Inspired by Paul Gauguin’s painting of the same name from 1897–98, she questions this desire. Moving fluidly through different times, Talbot considers the future from the perspective of mythology, feminism and ecology. Her first solo exhibition in the Netherlands was Sounders of the Depths (2019) at KM21.
Randa Mirza, Beirutopia (series), ongoing Randa Mirza (b. 1978, LB) exposes the tension between the utopian promises of construction projects in Beirut and the messy reality of this urban environment. Her keen visual idiom shows how futuristic visions of urban development exclude residents from their own future. Randa Mirza’s solo exhibition BEIRUTOPIA is now showing at Fotomuseum Den Haag.
Steffani Jemison, Bound, 2024 In the video installation Bound Steffani Jemison (b. 1981, US) shows how the body can rise above existing systems. Professional trampolinists soar across a blue sky, as poetic references to capitalism and Black history appear beneath the surface.
Moshekwa Langa, Mogalakwena, 2018 In his installation Mogalakwena (2018) Moshekwa Langa (b. 1975, SA) depicts a personal geography based on memory rather than on official borders. Taking his childhood in a South African ‘black spot’ during apartheid as his starting point, he used yarn, objects and images to make an associative map of belonging and invisibility. Langa’s first solo exhibition in the Netherlands was Omweg (2022) at KM21. Kunstmuseum Den Haag is the first Dutch museum to have a large-scale installation by Langa in its collection.
New New Babylon In New New Babylon: Visions for Another Tomorrow Kunstmuseum Den Haag explores how contemporary artists approach utopian thinking. Based on Constant’s iconic New Babylon (1956-1974), the exhibition presents possible futures and critical reflections on the present, beyond the constraints of work, property and nation. New New Babylon shows how artists around the world – often working on a collaborative, collective or interdisciplinary basis – continue to look for new ways of living together and new means of visualisation.
On Friday 28 June, Chamber Choir Kwintessens, conducted by Raoul Boesten, will perform a special concert in the Noorderkerk in The Hague: How Beloved. A program about love in all its facets – romantic, spiritual and in the form of gratitude for life and the people we meet.
A musical tribute to life and love The program includes works by Arvo Pärt, Monteverdi, Ešenvalds, Shaw, Tavener and Purcell. From quiet reflection to vibrant vitality – each piece contributes to an ode to love in all its layers. Françoise will also perform several solo works.
The reason for this concert is the farewell of soprano Françoise Kably, who has played an important role in the choir since 2009. After sixteen years, she is saying goodbye and returning to her native region of Brittany. Together with conductor Raoul Boesten, she has put together a programme that touches on everything that remains unspoken when saying goodbye – and which at the same time connects us.
CD presentation ‘How Beloved’ The album of the same name will also be presented during the concert. The live recording will be available via Bandcamp afterwards and will form a lasting memory of this evening.
Practical information Saturday June 28
Noorderkerk, Schuytstraat 9, The Hague Church opens at 7:15pm, concert starts at 7:45pm Tickets and album via: www.stichtingkwintessens.nl
Iconic Dutch musical opens up to international audiences with innovative ‘Language No Problem’ technology
Starting August 22, the musical Soldaat van Oranje will also be available in English, thanks to a pioneering application of audio description technology via the visitor’s smartphone. This innovation makes the production more accessible and now available to international audiences, including expats and tourists. Through a dedicated app, visitors receive real-time English-language context synced with the live performance.
Now accessible to non-Dutch speakers
Since its premiere in 2010, the show has captivated over 3.7 million visitors, and holds the record for the longest-running production in Dutch theatre history. The musical tells the gripping true story of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, the famous Dutch resistance fighter during World War II. His story continues to resonate today with its powerful message of courage and freedom. The audience experiences the show in a unique theatrical performance solution specially developed for this production. The audience is seated in a 360-degree rotating auditorium that turns from set to set, accompanied by 180-degree projections. For the first time, non-Dutch speakers can fully experience this iconic show thanks to a newly recorded English-language audio description, voiced by acclaimed West End and Broadway actress Celinde Schoenmaker (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera).
Celinde Schoenmaker: “The story of Soldaat van Oranje continues to move me every time. It was an incredible honour to lend my voice to this powerful story. It’s truly special that we can now share this remarkable Dutch production with an international audience. Culture is for everyone. For me, recording the audio description was a way to contribute to more inclusive theatre. Even those who don’t speak the language can fully immerse themselves in this unique theatrical experience.”
Special collaboration: Julia Harriman performs English versions of musical numbers
As a teaser for the English-language experience, two of the show’s most iconic songs are now available in English. These include ‘No Way Back’ and ‘There’s No-One Here But Us’. These English tracks are sung by musical theatre star Julia Harriman, known from The Voice US and her role as Elizabeth in Hamilton on Broadway. She is the daughter of American composer Tom Harriman, who composed the entire score for Soldaat van Oranje. Tom previously composed music for well-known American films and TV series, including Baywatch. Together, Julia and Tom Harriman connect two generations, two worlds, and two continents to this distinctly Dutch story.
Last night, the three winners of Door de Haagse Lens , the film competition in which residents of The Hague could share their hopeful message about peace with the city, were announced at the Flora Filmtheater. Gillian Graven was declared the winner with her film Tevreden. Tevredenshows The Hague through the eyes of a refugee. Graven won €1,000 with her impressive and moving entry.
The second prize of €500 went to Daniëlla de Campos, who creatively went into the city to interview residents of The Hague about their hopeful message to the world. Natasha Falieu-Mané won the third prize of €250 with a film about an international student who shares her first impressions of The Hague. The original music and sound design of this film were composed by Alice Guyot. Door de Haagse Lens is part of the Hague fringe programme Road to Summit , which organises activities around the theme of peace and justice in the run-up to the NATO summit.
A rich image of The Hague
Alderman Saskia Bruines (Culture): “I am deeply impressed. The films are very different and all deal with peace and justice in their own way. They show The Hague in such a beautiful way. Each entry contributes to a richer, more versatile image of our city. The stories really hit home. I recommend everyone to watch the films again!”
The call to make a short film or animation about hope for world peace resulted in many creative entries: entries from young to old, and from smartphone entries to professionally produced animations. The condition was that the film lasted a maximum of three minutes and showed The Hague in an original way as a city of peace and justice. Participants could follow free workshops with tips from professionals beforehand.
Expert jury
An expert jury – including filmmaker Joosje Duk and presenter Nora Akachar – assessed the entries on originality, creativity and expressiveness. Joosje Duk: “The films were surprising, moving and sometimes with a touch of Hague humour. It was really special to see all the entries together and discover how everyone had translated the theme in their own unique way. Fantastic to see how people with limited resources have managed to create such a powerful and visually strong story.”
The three winning films can be viewed via behague.com/door-de-haagse-lens and will also be shown on local platforms such as Omroep West and Den Haag FM. With the prize money, the makers can invest in equipment or new productions.
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Featured photo: The winners and jury members of Through the Hague Lens . From left to right: Saskia Bruines, Natasha Falieu-Mané, Gillian Graven, Daniëlla de Campos, Louise Vliegenthart, Annelies Dijkman, Nynke Wiersma, Nora Akachar and Joosje Duk.
On Wednesday evening, June 11, Mayor Jan van Zanen (The Hague) opened the Just Peace Festival in cultural center Amare. This official kick-off marked the start of a series of public activities in the theme of peace and justice, as part of The Hague’s ‘Road to Summit’ program towards the NATO summit later this month. The opening included a dance performance and the opening of the exhibition Humanity in Times of Tension , with over 40 works of art by international creators, each reflecting on the theme of peace and justice. There was also a debate on the meaning of peace in the present day.
‘The Just Peace Festival offers perspectives from which peace arises, from the bottom up and from within. Only by continuing to talk to each other is it possible to achieve peace. With this we show what The Hague stands for as an international city of peace and justice.’ – Mayor Jan van Zanen
About the Just Peace Festival
The Just Peace Festival offers a broad cultural and social program around the theme of peace. Through art, debate, dialogue and encounter, different perspectives are made visible. The festival invites people to think about the question: what is peace, and how do we work on it together?
Everyone is welcome, from artists to students and from researchers to interested residents of The Hague. The festival will take place from 12 to 26 June and will coincide with the arrival of the NATO summit in The Hague. View the full programme at: Welcome to Just Peace Festival | Just Peace
Program: Dialogue, art and activism come together
From 12 to 26 June, The Hague will be the setting for over 60 public activities spread across the city. The programme includes debates, exhibitions, film screenings, music and dance performances and workshops. One of the highlights is the programme HagueTalks: What is Just Peace?, on 23 June in Amare. This evening, which can be followed live and online, combines conversations with music, spoken word and dance.
Joint initiative
This new, city-wide festival is a joint initiative of The Hague Humanity Hub, Leiden University and the Municipality of The Hague, in collaboration with more than 50 (inter)national organisations. With over 60 events and contributing partners from The Hague, more than 100 speakers and a broad social and cultural programme, the festival aims to involve as many residents of The Hague as possible in an urgent and hopeful question: How do we build a just and peaceful world together?
Road to Summit
The Just Peace Festival is part of the broader Hague programme Road to Summit , which looks ahead to the NATO summit on 24 and 25 June. During this period, The Hague will be the vibrant scene of a variety of activities focused on peace and justice. The programme includes debate, counter-narratives, lectures, exhibitions, music, film and dance performances, and creative competitions. The Just Peace Festival is one of the highlights. The programme is accessible to a wide audience.
The 28th edition of Kaderock attracted 6,000 visitors last weekend. The two-day festival on and around the grounds of music centre Musicon was bigger than ever this year, with more than 60 acts spread over two days. The bad weather forecast and showers didn’t stop anyone: Kaderock was ‘waterproof’.
With a packed program that varied from The Hague rock classics to experimental music, spread over multiple stages, Kaderock 2025 was more varied than ever. In addition to big names such as Gruppo Sportivo and Cesar Zuiderwijk, Rinus Gerritsen & The Clarks on Friday, and bands such as DeWolff, John Coffey and Wodan Boys on Saturday, there was plenty of room for talent and experiment. Thanks to artists such as Elmer, Jaïr Faria and VALS ALARM, many new audiences also found their way to this quintessential Hague festival in the Leyenburg district.
Twenty-five school bands and rap acts from The Hague competed on Friday for a spot on the main stage on Saturday. The eventual winners were punk band Sidera and rapper Jayce, who opened Saturday with a thundering kick-off.New was the Broeikas, a transparent tent where music, art and experiment came together. This creative breeding ground arose from a collaboration between The Hague artist collectives iii, Helicopter and the young musicians of New Space Studio. This initiative also attracted a new audience and was received enthusiastically.
Singer/guitarist Mikkie B of the Hague rock sensation Wodan Boys put it succinctly: “This was the first festival I ever played at — and not just for me, but for all of us.”
“And that is exactly what the festival is all about,” adds Musicon director Daan van der Bruggen. “Here, the entire musical ‘cycle of life’ passes by, from grandparents to grandchildren. Here, different worlds come together. You saw that on every stage: from young talents to established names, from intimate performances to wild mosh pits. Those encounters and passing on the music from generation to generation — and at the same time being open to new music — that is what it is all about. We are proud and grateful that we have been able to do this for 30 years.”
About Kaderock Kaderock, the pop festival around the famous music centre Musicon in The Hague, has existed since 1996. The streets around the festival site are the cradle of the famous beat culture of The Hague: sacred ground. The careers of almost all famous pop and urban artists from The Hague of the past decades started here. This annual gathering of pop generations is part of the intangible heritage of the Netherlands and offers a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the past, present and future of pop city number one.
Text provided by Kaderock, translated to English by The Hague Online
