More than 1,000 ideas for Cultural Capital 2018

Residents of The Hague have come out in droves to submit their ideas for 2018, the year in which The Hague wants to become the European Capital of Culture. More than 1,000 people have let their creativity flow and have come up with a plan for 2018. From a theatre tram and a cultural sauna in Scheveningen to a pop music festival in the Lower House of Parliament: The Hague is buzzing with creative ideas.

Since March an ‘idea bus’ has been driving around The Hague asking residents about their cultural visions for the city in 2018. The subject seems to get people thinking and talking.

‘We hear the craziest, most beautiful and most touching ideas, ‘says Zsuzsa Jónás from Stichting Den Haag 2018. ‘Some ideas are just thought up on the spot but some people come to us with elaborately drawn-up plans. Examples of ideas include the ‘Hague Holland Light Route', a 'Gray Regahs section' in the ADO stadium, a hot air balloon festival, an elevated bridge from Hollands Spoor to the centre, the gift wall and an election for Hague sounds. Creativity in all shapes and sizes! ‘

Stichting Den Haag 2018 will publish the 100 best ideas in a magazine, which will be launched in September at the Haags UIT Festival.

Enthusiasm

Residents of The Hague appear enthusiastic about the city’s ambitions to be chosen as the European Capital of Culture. ‘With the Gemeentemuseum, Peace Palace, beach, the Mauritshuis, Nederlands Dans Theater, Parkpop, it is completely logical that The Hague is given the title,’ says Jónás. ‘Smaller and new initiatives, like the REWIRE festival and Jam de la Crème, are also often named as people’s favourites.’

Apart from The Hague other candidate cities and regions in the Netherlands are Maastricht, the city of Brabant, Utrecht, Almere and Friesland. At the beginning of 2013 it will be announced whether The Hague will go on to the second round.

Do you also have an idea for 2018? Go to the website www.denhaag-2018.nl/page/bouwmee and submit your idea. You can also vote for and place your reaction to other ideas.

Here you can watch a short film which highlights all of The Hague's winning qualities.