Circle4Change

the journey of the cycling tree

On 11 April 2025, a special journey began from Leeuwarden. For five months, a tree cycled along a 5,000-kilometre route, right across nine countries. Along the way, we met people, shared the Circle4Change story and gathered inspiring initiatives for a sustainable future. The route led from the Netherlands to Germany, Poland, Czechia, Austria and Slovenia, with an important stop in Nova Gorica-Gorizia, European Capital of Culture 2025. From there, the tour continued through Italy, France and Belgium before returning to Leeuwarden in September.

a tree on a journey for a sustainable future

Circle4Change is a cultural initiative by landscape artist Bruno Doedens, known for Bosk. Where trees moved through the streets of Leeuwarden during Arcadia 2022, a tree travelled across Europe this time. This 5,000-kilometre journey connects people, communities and landscapes, and invites everyone to work together on sustainable initiatives. The tree symbolises the connection between people and nature, and the cycled circle grows into a living landscape artwork that shows how we can make the earth more beautiful, instead of putting a strain on it.

it’s my birthday, so I’m planting a tree

Along the route, we introduced a new tradition: the Birthday Tree. We invited everyone celebrating a birthday to plant a tree and help make the world a little greener. For every kilometre, a Birthday Tree was given away, creating a growing network of birthday forests along the route. Frisians with a birthday could also stop by the desk at Bouwurk to pick up a free sapling. From Leeuwarden to Slovenia and from Italy to Belgium, people everywhere left behind their own living memory. A small gesture with a big effect.

Harmony with the earth

The route connects not just countries and landscapes, but also cultures, rituals and generations. In this way, Circle4Change creates a living artwork of trees: a growing network of people and trees that links Fryslân and Europe together like a green thread. But Circle4Change is more than an art project: it’s an invitation to work together towards a sustainable and fair future. During his bike tour, Bruno talked with fellow travellers and initiatives that contribute to green space and connection. In this way, Circle4Change offers a platform for initiatives that show how we can live in harmony with the earth. From greening cities and villages along the cycled circle to strengthening our deep bond with nature, Circle4Change creates fertile ground for new ideas, hope and action. With a dream: to make the bike tour again during Arcadia 2028, with hundreds of people and trees.

join circle4change!

The movement starts here. Want to contribute?

• Cycle along part of the route.
• Sponsor a kilometre and a birthday tree  
• Start your own local initiative on or around the circle

“Bosk showed us that when we work together and put our shoulders to the wheel, we can achieve a great deal. Roll up your sleeves, have trust and think big.” -Sybrand Buma, mayor of Leeuwarden

“With this tree, we’re cycling hope across Europe. Every kilometre is an invitation to think about how we can take better care of our earth together” -Bruno Doedens, landscape artist

Arcadia is co-producer of Circle4Change.