On February 27th, Crossing Border will open a permanent literary venue: Borderkitchen, located at Kerkstraat 13 in The Hague. It’s just down the road from its current location, but with considerably more space for the public. In addition to the familiar conversations with international authors, Borderkitchen will now also host other Crossing Border programming components. Furthermore, there will be more space for collaborations with (young) creators and cultural organizations. This new initiative was made possible thanks to the partnership with Het Nationale Theater.
The building on Kerkstraat currently serves as a rehearsal space for the National Theatre and has a rich history. In 1993, the property was purchased from the municipality by Cees Debets, then the business manager of the youth theatre company Stella Den Haag. After Stella Den Haag was integrated into the National Theatre, the building remained part of that organization.
Unique place for literature
Borderkitchen is housed in the building as a permanent literary salon. Michel Behre, director of Crossing Border: ” The collaboration between Crossing Border and Het Nationale Theater has resulted in a unique new venue for literature in The Hague. Borderkitchen will be a platform where literature in all its forms comes together: from established names to emerging artists, and from conversations to interdisciplinary programming. Het Nationale Theater and Crossing Border are thus jointly presenting programs on stage. ”
Borderkitchen programs a variety of literary activities every month. Depending on the program, this ranges from one to several programs per month, aimed at different target groups.
Strengthening the cultural climate
Iris van den Akker, Managing Director of Het Nationale Theater: “The Crossing Border Festival has been held for years at venues including the Koninklijke Schouwburg (Royal Theatre). With Borderkitchen at Kerkstraat 13, they can focus more on collaborating with artists year-round. At Het Nationale Theater, we encourage these kinds of initiatives by providing them with space. It’s precisely through this kind of collaboration that we strengthen the city’s cultural climate.”
Alderman for Finance, Culture, and Economic Development Saskia Bruines will officially open Borderkitchen on February 27th during a gathering for invited guests. The first public edition will take place at this new location on February 26th. View the Borderkitchen schedule here .
About the National Theatre
The National Theatre is the largest traveling theatre company in the Netherlands. Our performances travel to over 40 cities throughout the country. With our two companies (The National Theatre and HNTjong), we are the only national theatre organization creating performances for all ages. We operate in three theatres in The Hague: the Koninklijke Schouwburg (Royal Theatre), Theater aan het Spui (Theater on the Spui), and Zaal 3 (Zaal 3), situated among palaces, ministries, and working-class neighborhoods. In our venues, we commemorate our shared history and celebrate the festivals that connect us. The National Theatre prioritizes accessibility. HNTonbeperkt does everything in its power to ensure that disabilities, visible or invisible, are no barrier to attending the theatre. We present our own productions, but we also provide a platform for companies and creators from across the country: from cabaret to drama, from dance to theatre lectures. HNTeducatie∫eractie offers participants of all ages a roadmap to the outside world: discover how to see, which words to use, but above all, that you can see everything.
About Crossing Border
Crossing Border organizes the annual multi-day international literature festival Crossing Border Festival in The Hague and has its own literature venue Borderkitchen where events take place throughout the year.
Featured photo credit Remco Koers