Lots to do in Leiden this weekend
Leiden, City of Events? Why not? There is plenty to do in Leiden on the weekend of September 14 and 15, 2024. You can't see and do everything, so you will have to make choices in the medieval city of Leiden. For example, Open Monument Day, National Organ Day, Historic Canal Day, and Days of Art & Science. In short, book an extra night at a hotel in Leiden if you are coming from afar. Will you be traveling along philately?
Open Monument Day (14 and 15 September)
The theme for 2024 is 'Routes, networks and connections'. Briefly summarized as 'On the Way'. OMD Leiden has once again put together a wonderful program for September 14 and 15, 2024. This theme fits very well with Leiden as a city of trade and travel. In addition to waterways and trade routes, we have many monuments that fit the 'On the Way' theme. Think of the city lodgings, city gates, and transport by water, road, and rail. Together with our volunteers and the professionals from Erfgoed Leiden, we have already gathered a lot of input for a wonderful program following a brainstorming session. So mark September 14 and 15 in your calendar already!', says Chairman Alexander Geertsema. The program has something for everyone and has been made possible thanks to the indispensable efforts of countless volunteers.
This year, the collaboration with Bambam Restoration Stonemasons has been continued, resulting in a vibrant Crafts Square with craft demonstrations for young and old. New to the program is the expansion of the choir program into a broader music program, made possible by the Leiden Amateur Arts working group. The OMD Kids activities, including arts and crafts with Technika10 and musical performances by the Leiden Youth Theatre School, ensure that there is plenty to experience for the youngest visitors as well. There are many more 'gems' to see during OMD, including Nieuwsteeg 2, Rapenburg 112a, Hogewoerd 32, the historic tugboat harbor, etc.
National Organ Day (September 14)
National Organ Day has been held on the second Saturday, September 14, since 2002. Each year, the national kick-off for the day takes place at a different location. In 2024, this will be in the Hooglandse Kerk in Leiden. This is followed by an organ walk past four inner-city churches: the Waalse Kerk, the Lokhorstkerk, the Marekerk, and the Hartebrugkerk. The closing concert will be given in the Hooglandse Kerk on the Willis organ by Willeke Smits.
Historical Canal Day (September 15)
On Sunday, September 15, the activities of the Historical Tow Canal Day will be combined with the Open Monument Days. This year, the theme 'Heritage of routes, networks, and connections' fits in seamlessly; the tow canals contributed to the spectacular economic growth in the early 17th century. At that time, Leiden was a hub of tow canal connections. The tow barge served as the primary means of transport for millions of inhabitants in the 17th and 18th centuries. Think of it as the intercity of the Golden Age, with a tight schedule. The journey between Leiden and Haarlem took four hours. During the Historical Tow Canal Day, there will be plenty of free activities allowing visitors to learn all about Leiden in the 17th century, from Rembrandt van Rijn to the Pilgrims.
Days of Art&Science (9 – 15 september)
Days of Art&Science is an event that brings art and science together through exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and interactive activities. Discover various unique activities at the intersection of art and science during the Days of Art&Science from September 9–15. Each event features its own special experience, including the Night of Discoveries, Brave Young Minds, and Brave New World.
Are you (even just a little bit) curious about the wonders of art and science? Discover a fascinating variety of events, both in Dutch and English, during the Days of Art&Science! This unique program is suitable for children, students, scientists, and culture lovers. Whether you are crazy about science or love art, you are going to experience something special during the Days of Art&Science.
On Saturday, September 14, the art and knowledge festival De Nacht van Ontdekkingen (The Night of Discoveries) takes place at the Academy Building of Leiden University, the Hortus Botanicus, the PJ Veth Building, the Pieterskerk Leiden, Gravensteen, and the Old Observatory. At various locations within the festival area, you will discover emerging makers, young researchers, and artists. A true journey of discovery through musical performances, exhibitions, theatre productions, debates, workshops, and inspiring lectures centered on the themes of art and science.
Randy writes that there is a lot to do in Leiden.
Hero is talking about the poem Wahrlich
by Ingeborg Bachmann; one of the 120 wall poems in Leiden.
Leiden city guide Willem has the Dutch translation of this poem:
TRULY
For Anna Akhmatova
Who was never struck dumb,
and I tell you,
who only knows how to help himself,
and with words –
He is beyond help.
Not the short way
and not over the long term.
To make a single sentence sustainable,
to endure the thumping of words.
No one signs for this sentence,
who does not sign.
(Translated by P. Beers in collaboration with I. Quadflieg) see http://www.muurgedichten.nl )
On the weekend of September 14 and 15, 2024, Leiden transforms into a vibrant city of events with activities such as Open Monument Day, National Organ Day, Historic Trekvaart Day, and Days of Art & Science. For those who don't want to miss a thing, an extra overnight stay in one of the charming hotels in this medieval city is highly recommended!