Sunday, December 8, Grote Kerk Den Haag
On Sunday, December 8, from 2:00 PM to 7:30 PM, the Human Rights Festival will take place at the Grote Kerk in The Hague. This event fosters connection and mutual understanding between diverse cultures through dialogue, music, dance, and food. Celebrating similarities and differences, the festival offers a free, accessible program where stories are shared, and the people behind them are seen.
Register here for free!
Design: Erik Dries
Program
Under the theme *"Let the Rights of Friend and Stranger Flow,"* enjoy a rich and diverse program. Willem Jansen will guide the day as our host.
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM: doors open
Starting at 1:30 PM, we will open the doors
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Opening speech by Edzard Mik
The festival kicks off with an inspiring speech by writer Edzard Mik, who will share his thoughts on the power of human rights and the importance of solidarity. This will be followed by a moving *Water Ceremony*, accompanied by singer Sanne Rambags and the enchanting sounds of water-electronics.
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Various activities
The Human Rights Festival isn’t just about listening and watching—it’s about participating too! From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, visitors can join a variety of creative workshops (including some for children), interviews, lectures, exhibitions, theater performances, deep discussions, and even bicycle lessons.
For food lovers, a wide range of snacks and drinks will be available to enjoy. Engage in conversations with migrants and undocumented individuals, and participate in *“speed dates”* organized by Amnesty International to discuss current human rights issues. Youth participants will also present their research on conscription.
5:00 PM – 5:20 PM: Closing remarks by Jens van der Duim
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Dabke dance workshop by VluchtelingenWerk Nederland
A program highlight is the Dabke-dance workshop, led by VluchtelingenWerk Nederland, where visitors can dance together to live music by the Kimya Band.
7:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Festive closing & community singing
The festival concludes with a stunning performance by chamber choir Ilmatar, accompanied by Sanne Rambags and other talented musicians. Everyone is invited to sing along, bringing the Human Rights Festival to a joyful close.
A detailed program with descriptions of each activity will be announced soon.
Practical information
- Date: Sunday, December 8, 2024
- Location: Grote Kerk Den Haag, Rond de Grote Kerk 12
- Doors open at 13:30 PM
- Time: 2:00 PM – 7:30 PM
The Human Rights Festival is a collaborative initiative by several organizations in The Hague, including Huis voor de Stad (Grote Kerk Den Haag), The Hague Peace Projects, Culture Unlimited, Dialoog in Den Haag, VluchtelingenWerk Nederland, Amnesty International, Human Security Collective, Wereldhuis, Kleurrijk Segbroek, Fietsschool Transvaal, Digital Child Rights, Muze's Kus, Justice & Peace Nederland, Stichting Kunst en Mensenrechten, and Één land één samenleving.
