For 100 days, Fryslân becomes a stage for art, culture and mienskip. Be inspired by the artists of Paradys, collaborate with creatives through Myn Grûn, gather in Bouwurk, and marvel at Klein Geluk, where texts appear daily across the province. Everyone is welcome, so come celebrate, build, knit, dance and take part!
Bouwurk is a celebration of creating and building together.
In front of the Oldehove in Leeuwarden, we’re constructing something you’ve never seen before: a monument for the Fryske mienskip! Everyone is welcome. All summer long, there’s so much to do together. Come by, join in, sing along, dance along, and experience Bouwurk.
Explore the world beneath your feet. Our Fryske grûn is so much more than just the physical soil below us. As the very substrate of our existence, it connects us all and holds a wealth of untold stories. But are we giving our grûn the love it deserves? And how are we leaving it for future generations?
The Fryske (Frisian) Peat Meadow Area, a world waiting to be rediscovered.
It has been shaped by man and nature for centuries. Now, great changes await. What if we no longer see water and soil as obstacles, but as inspiration? Together, we explore new insights and sustainable solutions.
After the acclaimed performances Lost in the Greenhouse and Het Verdriet van de Zuiderzee (The Sorrow of the Zuiderzee), Orkater and De Lawei, in collaboration with Arcadia, present the final part of the Friesland trilogy directed by Geert Lageveen: The Revolution of the Rinsema’s.
Have you ever noticed how happiness is often in the little things? Small, fleeting slices of happiness found in objects, encounters or smells, either out in nature or on the street. For 100 days, from 17 May to 24 August, Leeuwarden UNESCO City of Literature will surprise you with literary moments of happiness popping up all over Fryslân. Where will you find a small slice of happiness?
The Mienskippers podcast series is all about volunteers and their inestimably valuable contribution to society. Over the course of nine episodes, you'll get to know the stories of real difference-makers, bringers together, opportunity-creators, movers and shakers.
Is your project on the starting blocks? Is it set to take place during the 100 days of Arcadia? Does it tie in with the grûn theme? If so, join the FLANK programme!
Look farther. Think bigger. Dream together.
Fryslân is changing. De Uitkijkers (The Lookouts) is a platform for Frisians to come together and think about the future. We're not afraid to ask ourselves the big questions: What does the future hold and how can we all stay connected?
Do you have an idea that will make your neighbourhood, village or city a prettier, greener or kinder place? DWAAN will help you turn your idea into reality. Join our inspiring sessions led by an experienced gamemaster. Collaborate on your idea and flesh out your plans.
What does the grûn (ground) beneath your feet mean to you? With Myn Grûn, we're fusing art, nature and mienskip (community) in one town and 12 villages of the municipality of Waadhoeke. We work with locals and artists to make artworks rooted in local stories, traditions and it lânskip (the landscape).
The Art of Connection. With Over de Drempel, we support initiatives by artists and social partners that spark encounters, open up conversations, and lower barriers — so that people feel seen and heard. Together, we create small moments with a big impact.
Young creators take the stage! BROEI offers talents aged 12 to 24 the chance to bring their unique ideas to life: from theatre and music to film, literature, and visual art. It’s a space to experiment, grow, and show Fryslân what they’re made of. Raw, fresh, and innovative!
Picture this: A tree cycling its way through Europe. Circle4Change will draw an imaginary 5,000-kilometre circle on the map of Europe, connecting Leeuwarden to Nova Gorica. Through art, culture and nature, we will bring people together, as a growing artwork of connection, biodiversity and imagination emerges along the route.
Climate change, biodiversity loss, loneliness. Big issues felt everywhere, including the villages of Fryslân. But change can start close to home, and even small changes can make a difference. What if villages joined forces in a bid to future-proof the province?
Young people are curious and tend to come up with new inventions and discover life through play. At Arcadia Young, they're given the space to experiment, collaborate and make their voices heard. We challenge them to explore boundaries, make mistakes and learn from them.
Enter a world that melds art and heritage. Discover how nine museums and nine artists make the elusive soul of Súdwest-Fryslân come to life. Be inspired by personal stories, remarkable locations and artworks that highlight the ample diversity of the region.
On 17 May, Arcadia 2025 opens with the Grûnfestival! A festival where culture, mienskip (community), and the Fryske grûn (Frisian soil) come together. We explore the future together and share stories. This is not just another opening, party, or spectacle. Be surprised by unique performances, from dancing excavators to an hourglass filled with Fryske grûn. Join in, celebrate, or be swept away! Even from the sidelines, it will be an experience to remember. The choice is yours!