TopDutch events guide October 2023

Culture and sports

For a TopDutch take on a Dutch master

Van Gogh in Drenthe

140 years ago one of the world’s most famous artists, Vincent van Gogh, took a trip to the TopDutch region. Newly single and desiring to become an artist, he took a train to the stark Drenthe countryside, where he spent three months finding peace and inspiration in our iconic nature.

To celebrate this anniversary, you can follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps across the region with a type of journey for everyone. Are you an art lover? The Drents museum have brought together an ambitious exhibition of 20 of Van Gogh’s pieces from his time in Drenthe, alongside paintings, watercolours and drawings by sources of inspiration he writes about in letters to his brother Theo, and by his contemporaries.

Are you a history buff? Visit the newly-renovated Van Gogh house – the only publicly accessible building in the Netherlands where he lived and worked – where you’ll be transported back to 1883 and experience an accurate depiction of how he was living.

More of the outdoorsy-type? Experience the exhibited landscapes for yourself by bike or foot via a number of new routes through which you can see what Vincent saw, what inspiration he found in Drenthe, who he met and what landscape he was looking for. On each of the three 50km cycling routes, you’ll be guided by special signs past viewing panels with listening stories and large murals. There are also four special walking routes, which you can also follow with a ‘podwalk’ which allow you to listen while walking.  

Traveling with Vincent Exhibition. Where? Drents Museum, Brink 1, Assen. When? Until January 7 2024, Tuesdays through Sundays 10:00 – 17:00.

Van Gogh house. Where? Van Goghstraat 1, Nieuw Amsterdam. When? Reopening October 4 2023, Tuesdays through Sundays 13:00 – 17:00.

Cycling and walking routes. Where? Starting Hoogeveen, Veenoord and Zweeloo. More information via the website or a tourist information point.

For adventurous music

Sounds of Music 2023

Want to expand your playlist and explore the future of sound? Some of the coolest musicians, the freshest talent, and the most fascinating thought leaders from across the world are again descending on the city of Groningen for the Sounds of Music festival 2023.

Treat your senses with brand new minimal classical music, electronics with beautiful improvisations, alternative pop and jazz with spoken word, especially for the most curious ears. And challenge your relationship with sound with listening labs discussing questions like ‘can AI be creative?’ and music labs such as the VR installation ‘virtual bodies in sonic space’.

Where? Various locations across Groningen. When? 31^st of October – 5^th of November.

For fascinating Frisian heritage

Strontweek Workum

‘Strontweek’ translates to ‘s**t week’. But don’t let the name fool you: This annual sailing festival is most definitely fun, authentic and very interesting. Considered a piece of Dutch ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’, the week centers around a traditional sailing regatta – the strontrace – from Workum to Warmond in South Holland and back. The first race was in 1974, but the tradition dates back to the 16^th and 17^th centuries, when sailors transported fertile manure from Friesland (hence the name) to the bulb fields in the south. As the practice began to die out in the 20^th century, the annual race – using only traditional flat-bottomed ships, and navigating with a map and compass – was organized to keep the tradition alive.

Alongside the race, the week highlights a range of other maritime cultural legacies. From the 20^th to the 22^nd of October, the Liereliet festival of maritime music brings musicians and singers from across the world to delight the audience with shanties. On Sunday the 22^nd shoppers can watch various old crafts such as blacksmithing, reed weaving and rope making being practiced, pick up some cute trinkets, all with the smell of freshly-smoked fish and the sound of shanties in the air.

Where? Various locations in Workum. When? 20^th – 28^th of October, full program available here.

For the fitness-fanatics and the fun-runners

4Mijl Groningen

If you want the perfect metaphor for TopDutch culture, look no further than the 4 Mile run in the province of Groningen. Competitive, yet community-spirited; sporty but also lovers of music and performance; and egalitarian – with a passion to help those less fortunate than ourselves. On the 8^th of October, an expected 21,000 participants and even more spectators will line the streets of Haren and Groningen over 12 waves of races.

Each year the race is dedicated to one charity, and this year the Youth Sports and Culture Fund Groningen was chosen – meaning the hard-earned sponsor money will help families with lower incomes participate in extra-curricular activities they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.

And for those who aren’t quite ready to run yet, there’s plenty of entertainment along the route to get you moving while you’re waiting for the runners. Whether you’re into jazz, pop, or dance music, you’ll be sure to find something to hype you up along the way.

Where? Starting in Kerklaan, Haren and ending in the Vismarkt, Groningen. Full route can be found here. When? 8th of October, 11:00 – 17:30.

Learn and connect

For the whole family

Weekend van de Wetenschaap (Science Weekend)

Do you have a curious young (or more mature) mind at home? For one weekend parents can take some time off from trying to answer why the sky is blue, and instead foster a love of science with a look behind the scene at organizations and centers that are not normally open to the public. Meet real scientists, see restorers at work in a museum, and do your own experiments in labs.

Top knowledge institutions and R&D companies across the TopDutch region are opening their doors. Some of the 80 activities across the region include becoming a chemist for the day at BASF Heerenveen, learning how to fly a drone with a stimulation workshop at Campus Eemsdelta, or experimenting with gravity and radio waves at our prestigious ASTRON LofarZone.

Where? Locations across the TopDutch region. Find the whole program here. When? 7^th – 8^th of October.

For the climate tech enthusiasts

Founder Talks #20 by Founded in Groningen x Google

For the 20^th edition of their Founder Talks, Founded in Groningen are teaming up with Google to take a deep dive into the revolutionary world of climate tech. Take your seats at the Forum and enjoy an evening of discussions infused with innovations and forward-thinking insights.

You’ll hear from two speakers. First up is Sabine Stuiver, CMO and Co-Founder of Hydraloop. She’s revolutionizing water usage and has the awards to prove it. And keep your eyes peeled, as the second show-stopping speaker will soon be announced. Get ready for a riveting session that promises to marry technology with sustainability, paving a road to a climate-resilient future.

Where? Groninger Forum. When? 31^st of October, 19:30 – 22:00.

For the latest insights into WaterTech

Wetsus Congress

Annually the Wetsus Congress gathers keynote speakers from government, industry and science to share knowledge on the latest water technology. The theme of this year’s edition is ‘Environmental resilience to novel entities’.

In plenary sessions on Monday October 9, the theme Environmental resilience to novel entities will be addressed from an international context and from the sustainable innovation perspective. Tuesday October 10 is all about science, with 14 session based on Wetsus’ scientific program.

Where? WaterCampus Leeuwarden. When? 9^th of October, 09:00 – 18:00, 10^th of October, 09:30 – 18:00.

For the changemakers

Wind Meets Gas 2023

This month, thought leaders from across the world are heading to the TopDutch region for Wind Meets Gas to lead the discussion of hydrogen and offshore energy. Be inspired by keynote speakers from the energy industry, government and academia, participate in a wide variety of workshops, learn about the latest developments, broaden your network and create new business opportunities with 1:1 matchmaking sessions.

This year’s edition of Wind meets Gas will specifically focus on how Northwestern Europe – and the North Sea(s) countries in particular – can formulate joint responses to the challenges posed by the European Green Deal Industrial Plan.

There are speakers from the Nordic Embassies, RWE, Gasunie, Engie, DVWG, the European Commission, the Dutch Government and National Employers’ Organisation, and many others. Various workshops will be organised on topics such as: the project Hy2Market, The Nordic energy response, North Sea offshore energy challenges, Dutch-British collaboration on Hydrogen, research project HyDelta, and North Sea Ports.

Where? Martinikerk Groningen. When? 12^th of October, 08:30 – 22:30, 13^th of October, 09:30 – 17:30.