In the run-up to the city’s 750th anniversary, the religious festival The Spirit of Amsterdam will take place for the first time this weekend. For three days, visitors can visit more than thirty houses of worship to learn about each other’s religion and culture. With a full program combined with dance, art and music, the organization hopes that people will visit each other more quickly.
This year is the first time that The Spirit of Amsterdam is taking place. Everyone is welcome to take a look and participate in an activity in synagogues, mosques and churches, among others. Rikko Voorberg is one of the organizers of the festival and hopes that this will put places of worship on the map. ”Places of worship are actually very beautiful on the inside, but are not visited enough. Hopefully this festival will also show this more,” Voorburg explains. From ecstatic dancing in the church to meditating in the temple, every religion opens its doors with a creative twist.
light bird
The festival kicks off on Friday in the Noorderkerk in the Jordaan with a workshop led by artist Jurrian van den Haak. Participants make a light bird from bamboo and kite paper, in honor of a loved one or a person they have lost.
The originally Catholic Murthe also participates in this to commemorate her deceased mother. “I feel as if religion and my mother are a source of inspiration,” says Murthe. In addition, Voorberg explains why this festival is so important now. “We have to get over that division of cultures and religions because we really need each other. . We all live in this city.”
There is also a suitable event on Saturday for visitors who prefer to watch rather than be creative. More than ten Amsterdam church choirs come together in the Old Lutheran Church on the Singel, ranging from Orthodox to Slavic. Each choir performs for fifteen minutes and visitors can enjoy the stories from the history of these churches in between. “It is time for us to seek each other out, listen to each other and give each other space,” explains pastor Andreas Wöhle.
Activities of The Spirit of Amsterdam can still be visited until tomorrow. For example, you can attend your own funeral in the Keizersgracht Church or attend a dance performance in the Great Synaoge Jewish Museum.
Welcome to the Unholy Celebration: The Spirit of Amsterdam!
In a city that’s rolling out the red carpet for its 750th birthday, it only seems fitting that we’d throw a festival dedicated to spirituality and culture, right? Buckle up, folks, because the first-ever The Spirit of Amsterdam festival is taking place this weekend, and it’s looking to be more colorful than a child’s crayon box!
A Divine Open House: More Than Just a Sunday Visit
For three glorious days, you can wander into over thirty houses of worship that are actually throwing their doors wide open! Yes, you heard that right—synagogues, mosques, churches, and temples have lined up to welcome you with arms wide enough for a contortionist. Rikko Voorberg, one of the festival’s wise sages—I mean, organizers—wants us to be awed by the beauty of these sacred spaces, stating, “Places of worship are actually very beautiful on the inside, but are not visited enough.” The man certainly nailed down the subtlety there; let’s hope he’s not describing my last flat-share!
And what’s on the festival’s creative menu this year? Think ecstatic dancing in churches and meditating in temples, or as I like to say, “Please stop throwing my holy water around!” Seriously, they’re mixing things up a bit, with the aim of getting us all to visit and learn about each other’s faiths—because let’s face it; without mutual understanding, we might as well be shouting into the wind.
Light Birds and Memories: Not Just Pastors and Pews
The festival launches Friday at the Noorderkerk in the Jordaan, and what better way to kick it off than by making a light bird from bamboo and kite paper? Come on, who wouldn’t want to craft something sweet in memory of a lost one? Murthe, an originally Catholic participant, is getting all sentimental on us, saying her religion and late mother inspire her. It’s hard not to feel a bit teary-eyed—like my last attempt at trying to fix my love life with the help of a plant!
Choirs and Community: Because Singing Is Better Than Fighting
Now, if creative crafts aren’t your scene, but you have a soft spot for sensational singing, then you’re in luck! On Saturday, over ten Amsterdam church choirs are gathering like it’s a 90s boy band reunion in the Old Lutheran Church on Singel. Each choir will belt out glorious tunes for a leisurely fifteen minutes. It’s like a religious “X Factor,” only the stakes are higher and the scandal is… well, probably still not as juicy!
Pastor Andreas Wöhle puts it simply: “It is time for us to seek each other out, listen to each other, and give each other space.” That’s right, no one wants to be that person who clings on during a conversation and just won’t let go!
Final Thoughts: A Festival with a Purpose
The Spirit of Amsterdam is still hopping until tomorrow, giving you a chance to check out events like attending your own funeral (talk about self-indulgent!), or dancing your socks off at the Great Synagogue Jewish Museum. So go ahead, grab your friends, your neighbors—you might even want to take that colleague you can’t stand. Who knows? A little spirit might just rekindle that sense of community we all so desperately need!
In the end, what the world needs now is not just love sweet love, but a little cheekiness, a bit of understanding, and maybe some killer dance moves. Let’s get out there and celebrate our differences—and for heaven’s sake, make some light birds while we’re at it!
In a vibrant lead-up to the capital’s milestone 750th anniversary, the inaugural religious festival, The Spirit of Amsterdam, will unfold this weekend, inviting residents and visitors to experience a unique cultural exchange. Over the course of three days, attendees will have the opportunity to explore more than thirty diverse houses of worship, gaining insights into the rich tapestry of religions and cultures that coexist within the city. Featuring a thoughtfully curated program that blends dance, art, and music, the organizers aim to foster a sense of community and encourage individuals to connect and share experiences with one another.
This groundbreaking event marks the first occurrence of The Spirit of Amsterdam, welcoming everyone to engage and participate in various activities hosted in synagogues, mosques, and churches, among other sacred spaces. Rikko Voorberg, one of the festival’s dedicated organizers, expresses hope that the event will help bring greater visibility to these often-overlooked places of worship. “Places of worship are actually very beautiful on the inside, but are not visited enough. Hopefully, this festival will also show this more,” Voorberg shares enthusiastically. From exhilarating dance performances in churches to tranquil meditation sessions in temples, each participating religion opens its doors with an imaginative flair.
light bird
The festival kicks off on Friday in the historic Noorderkerk located in the vibrant Jordaan district, featuring an inspiring workshop led by artist Jurrian van den Haak. During this interactive session, participants will create poignant light birds crafted from bamboo and kite paper, serving as heartfelt tributes to loved ones or individuals they have lost.
The originally Catholic Murthe also participates in this special activity to honor the memory of her late mother. “I feel as if religion and my mother are a source of inspiration,” Murthe reflects, highlighting the personal significance of the event. Additionally, Voorberg emphasizes the timely importance of this festival in promoting unity. “We have to get over that division of cultures and religions because we really need each other. We all live in this city,” he asserts, advocating for a more harmonious coexistence among diverse communities.
There is also a captivating event on Saturday for visitors who prefer to immerse themselves in the experience rather than participate in hands-on activities. More than ten Amsterdam church choirs will unite in the Old Lutheran Church on the picturesque Singel, showcasing a variety of musical traditions from Orthodox to Slavic. Each choir will perform a fifteen-minute set, with attendees treated to enlightening stories from the rich history of these churches interspersed throughout the performances. “It is time for us to seek each other out, listen to each other, and give each other space,” emphasizes pastor Andreas Wöhle, echoing the festival’s mission of fostering connection.
Activities of The Spirit of Amsterdam can still be enjoyed until tomorrow. For instance, participants can attend a unique service reflecting on mortality in the Keizersgracht Church or witness a captivating dance performance at the Great Synagogue Jewish Museum, showcasing the festival’s diverse offerings and inclusive spirit.
What specific activities and performances are planned for attendees at The Spirit of Amsterdam festival?
**Interview with Rikko Voorberg, Organizer of The Spirit of Amsterdam**
**Interviewer:** Rikko, thank you for joining us today! The Spirit of Amsterdam is an exciting new initiative. What inspired the creation of this festival?
**Rikko Voorberg:** Thank you for having me! With Amsterdam approaching its 750th anniversary, we wanted to create an event that not only celebrates the city’s rich history but also promotes understanding among different cultures and religions. We recognized that places of worship—synagogues, mosques, churches—are often overlooked, yet they hold incredible beauty both architecturally and spiritually. We hope this festival will encourage more visitors to explore these sacred spaces and create connections in our diverse community.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange! Can you tell us about some of the specific activities people can participate in during the festival?
**Rikko Voorberg:** Absolutely! We have a wide range of activities planned. The festival kicks off with an interactive workshop in the Noorderkerk, where participants will be making light birds in honor of loved ones. This symbolic gesture allows people to reflect and connect on a personal level.
Additionally, on Saturday, visitors can enjoy performances by various church choirs at the Old Lutheran Church. Each choir has its own unique style, creating a rich musical tapestry for attendees to enjoy. We also encourage people to participate in meditation sessions, dance performances, and of course, explore the beautiful interiors of the houses of worship themselves.
**Interviewer:** What do you hope attendees will take away from this experience?
**Rikko Voorberg:** I hope that attendees come away with a greater appreciation for the diversity within their community. By engaging with different cultures and practices, we can foster understanding and compassion. In today’s world, it’s vital we bridge any divides and learn from one another. It’s not just about visiting these places, but about opening our hearts and minds to shared experiences.
**Interviewer:** You also mentioned that this festival is an opportunity to highlight the beauty of these places of worship. Can you elaborate on that?
**Rikko Voorberg:** Certainly! Many people have a perception of places of worship as being solemn or intimidating, but they often house incredible art, architecture, and history. We want to flip that narrative and show that these spaces are warm, inviting, and rich with stories. By opening their doors in a creative way, we hope to demystify these places and encourage more visitors to experience them with a fresh perspective.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like The Spirit of Amsterdam is truly about community and connection. What’s next after this inaugural festival?
**Rikko Voorberg:** We hope to make this an annual event! Each year, we’ll build on the experiences we gather and continue to create activities that appeal to more people. The goal is to solidify a tradition of learning, sharing, and celebrating our community’s rich tapestry of beliefs and cultures.
**Interviewer:** That’s fantastic to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your vision for The Spirit of Amsterdam.
**Rikko Voorberg:** Thank you for having me! I can’t wait for everyone to experience it this weekend. Let’s make this a memorable celebration!
