If you
haven’t been to the Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival yet, you should do so.
Every year for ten days in August this festival takes over the Noorderplansoen
(park), is in various theatres and other venues in the inner city of Groningen
and provides a varied and entertaining crossover theatre festival.
This year the
festival celebrated its 18th year. Each year it grows in popularity and
with a diversity of things on offer to do or see, and appeals to a wide
audience.
Entrance to
the part is free. There is a mixture of free and ticketed things to see. It
seems that this year two thirds of the program comes from abroad, and dues to
limitations the inner city location have more on offer this year.
The
diversity of the program includes theatre, dance, multimedia, film, video and
circus to name but a few.
The Romeo
and Juliet tents house bigger acts such as circuses or thought-provoking
theatre. Then there are the metal containers that house anything from quirky
little acts, to artists and designers. This year’s theme seemed to be more than
ever before about re-cycling, with some amazing results. Old pliers and iron
welded together became an unusual lampshade, or a small dog sitting patiently
waiting for its owner. Elsewhere, you could bring any article of your clothing
to one stall to have it ‘pimped’ with an original silkscreen design.
One
attraction I particularly liked was the ‘Pocket Garden’. A caravan had been
turned into a small garden and filled with plants and flowers. The outside of
it was pretty funky too!
As always
there is world food and drink available in tents and terraces to suit every
palate. In the evening the whole place is lit up with bulbs and trees are
illuminated by green lamps, whilst videos are projected onto a three-screened
object, which floats on one of the areas of water in the park.
For children
there is always loads to do, painting activities are on offer and this year
large paintings with cut outs where the heads should be were great for photo
opportunities.
For more on the festival, visit their website – Noorderzon
View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)
