Verre Binding goes on festival tour: come to the very first edition!
Verre binding organizes a festival tour! The first stop? Filmtheater Focus, where the very first festival for, by and with asylum seekers will take place on April 13! In recent months, four studios have been working on a number of great presentations. All Arnhemmers are invited to come and admire them at the spring edition of the Verre binding Culture Festival. And there’s more! Renée Janssen, who goes through life as the unofficial festival director, explains what there is to do on April 13 and why you should be there!
Renée, tell us. A festival, fun! What is the plan?
‘This is Arnhem’s first festival for, by and with asylum seekers. Maybe even from the Netherlands, but I’d have to find out. The intention is to organize a festival every quarter and to hop from cultural institution to cultural institution. The next festival is in Rozet. But we will start in Focus this spring.’
‘Arnhem is a city of connection and a forerunner in the field of integration. And you can be part of that. So, join the movement!’
Renée
Sounds good. What is going to happen?
‘We start at 4 p.m. with a children’s program by Collectief Koppig. There are also exhibitions in which the results and process of the Open Studios can be seen. The participants have been working on this in recent months together with a number of makers. They are free in what it will look like in the end. Videos, a fashion show, it can be anything. Then an important part of the festival is of course film, after all we are in Focus, so a film program has been put together. The foyer of Focus will also be transformed into a tea house where all kinds of snacks from here and far can be found and in room 2 there will be a talk show where makers talk about the Open Studios. They also give small workshops around the exhibitions. After that, room 2 turns into a dance floor and DJ MaHerrie comes to give a workshop dabke dancing.’
DJ MaHerrie
That can’t help but be a party! Where does the idea of giving a festival come from?
‘The seed was planted during the Open Studios. We were looking for a goal that people can work towards. The festival is also an extra moment to bring the group together, it creates more connection. Verre binding consists of two tracks: the Open Studios and Op pad in de Stad, which is intended to allow asylum seekers and Arnhemmers to experience culture together. With the festival we bring the two together. It is an opportunity to connect with each other. And we do it together, it’s really a co-creation, which is also very cool!’
Open studio Textiel
And why should every Arnhemmer be there?
‘Arnhem is a city of connection and a forerunner in the field of integration. Our municipality really wants to offer space to newcomers and offer them a home from day one. Distant bonding is an opportunity to experience that. Arnhem is very hospitable. As Arnhemmers, we can be proud of that! We really do live in a cool city together. And you can just be part of that. So, join the movement!’
Op pad in de stad met De Niemanders Presents
In short, on to Focus!
‘Yes, on April 13 we celebrate a new beginning. It’s super cool that Focus is hosting our first festival! Such an institution could also have thought: Verre binding, what is that? But they just get into it, because they think it’s just as important as we do. Very cool!’
The Verre binding Spring Festival for all Arnhemmers from here and far: come and see, taste, smell, hear and feel! And, don’t forget, join us! See you on April 13th!