City, surroundings and experiences go hand in hand in Friesland. The vast landscapes, picturesque villages and bustling cities merge seamlessly into one another, offering a varied rhythm of twittering bird concerts, adventurous expeditions and the hustle and bustle of a vibrant capital.
THE ATTRACTIVE MIX OF CITY AND SURROUNDINGS
THE AMBITION REMAINS, NEW PLANS ARE BEING FORGED
Friesland honours traditions but we also look ahead to the future. So, what are we planning? Sjoerd gives a sneak peek: “Our ambition is to become the European Youth Capital in 2028. This could again give a huge boost to the province and our cultural and economic development.”
The drive and ambition of the Frisians is boundless. That was the case 1000 years ago and will probably always be so. Hospitality is very important to us. We take time for our guests and do what we promise. This applies to all our relationships, by the way: we do what we say and we don't mince our words. And it’s this down-to-earth attitude that makes us an excellent partner for organising conferences.
"ISPA's success in Friesland shows that with the right approach, Friesland can be an attractive location for large, prestigious events”
LEEUWARDEN/FRIESLAND: EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE
The fact that Leeuwarden/Friesland was the European Capital of Culture in 2018 naturally made the visit even more fascinating and interesting for the conference participants. There was plenty for culture lovers, artists and art institutes to see, do and revel in.
And that was also one of the reasons why ISPA chose Leeuwarden, says David Baile. “Leeuwarden won out over seven other candidates for a number of reasons, including the wealth and diversity of cultural activities in the region. The relative accessibility of major transport hubs and the quality of infrastructure, including hotels and restaurants, also played a role. As a destination we also found it charming and uniquely situated in a very hospitable region of the world.”
A SMALL PROVINCE WHERE BIG DREAMS COME TRUE
“ISPA's success in Friesland shows that our province is more than just a stunning place; it’s a fully-fledged player in the international conference world,” says Sjoerd. “This event hasn’t just stimulated the local economy but also increased Friesland's international visibility. It shows that with the right approach, a rural province can be an attractive location for large, prestigious events.”
AN INTERNATIONAL CONGRES IN FRIESLAND: ISPA DID THAT
In 2018, the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) chose Friesland as its conference venue. A great honour, because normally this event takes place in world cities such as New York, Seoul and Melbourne. But there was a good reason why ISPA had over 300 delegates come to our province for a conference. We spoke with Sjoerd Bootsma, who was involved in this process. “That ISPA chose us is largely thanks to Lieven Bertels, who was the General Director of Cultural Capital Leeuwarden-Friesland 2018 at the time. Lieven had a strong network in the international festival world and was a member of the ISPA board. This network, together with his persuasiveness, played a crucial role in the decision to hold the conference in Friesland.”
“And,” he continues after a moment's thought, “it was of course not just about a suitable location. We also had a good proposition and we could offer a unique context, because we were also European Capital of Culture that year. There were also a number of larger artistic projects, like a major circus performance near Drachten and international theatre performances in Leeuwarden. This meant there was a very high-quality fringe programme for the conference visitors, which helped a lot. This made Friesland an attractive choice for ISPA.”
“And we delivered,” continues Sjoerd enthusiastically. “The feeling of involvement and the personal experience we offered the participants made the event unique and unforgettable for them.”
AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
“That wasn’t just because of the location, but also because of how we organised it,” says Sjoerd. “We didn’t offer the participants a standard location, we ventured through the entire province. Together we visited various cultural highlights. It was an intimate and personal approach. And it took huge preparations to go out with so many people every day,” he laughs. But it was a choice that made the participants happy. They really enjoyed this unique five-day event. Former ISPA CEO David Baile says: “I would definitely recommend Friesland as a conference destination. In a survey after our conference, over 97% of delegates said their experience was good or excellent. In addition to our formal programme, they enjoyed bike rides and excellent cultural activities, including theatre performances and museum visits.”
The province has 11 towns, the smallest of which are not much larger than a village. It is their historical significance that earned them their city rights. You’ll find works of art by regional and international artists both in the cities and in the middle of nature. Monuments that connect you with the environment.
The International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) personally experienced this secret superpower of the province. They held their mid-year congress in Friesland in 2018. The participants appreciated the breathtaking natural environment, the activities and the hospitality of the local people. Don't take our word for it, read the story of organiser Sjoerd Bootsma and ISPA CEO David Baile here.
the attractive mix of city and surroundings
City, surroundings and experiences go hand in hand in Friesland. The vast landscapes, picturesque villages and bustling cities merge seamlessly into one another, offering a varied rhythm of twittering bird concerts, adventurous expeditions and the hustle and bustle of a vibrant capital.
"ISPA's success in Friesland shows that with the right approach, Friesland can be an attractive location for large, prestigious events”
THE AMBITION REMAINS, NEW PLANS ARE BEING FORGED
Friesland honours traditions but we also look ahead to the future. So, what are we planning? Sjoerd gives a sneak peek: “Our ambition is to become the European Youth Capital in 2028. This could again give a huge boost to the province and our cultural and economic development.”
The drive and ambition of the Frisians is boundless. That was the case 1000 years ago and will probably always be so. Hospitality is very important to us. We take time for our guests and do what we promise. This applies to all our relationships, by the way: we do what we say and we don't mince our words. And it’s this down-to-earth attitude that makes us an excellent partner for organising conferences.
LEEUWARDEN/FRIESLAND: EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE
The fact that Leeuwarden/Friesland was the European Capital of Culture in 2018 naturally made the visit even more fascinating and interesting for the conference participants. There was plenty for culture lovers, artists and art institutes to see, do and revel in.
And that was also one of the reasons why ISPA chose Leeuwarden, says David Baile. “Leeuwarden won out over seven other candidates for a number of reasons, including the wealth and diversity of cultural activities in the region. The relative accessibility of major transport hubs and the quality of infrastructure, including hotels and restaurants, also played a role. As a destination we also found it charming and uniquely situated in a very hospitable region of the world.”
A SMALL PROVINCE WHERE BIG DREAMS COME TRUE
“ISPA's success in Friesland shows that our province is more than just a stunning place; it’s a fully-fledged player in the international conference world,” says Sjoerd. “This event hasn’t just stimulated the local economy but also increased Friesland's international visibility. It shows that with the right approach, a rural province can be an attractive location for large, prestigious events.”
AN INTERNATIONAL CONGRES IN FRIESLAND: ISPA DID THAT
In 2018, the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) chose Friesland as its conference venue. A great honour, because normally this event takes place in world cities such as New York, Seoul and Melbourne. But there was a good reason why ISPA had over 300 delegates come to our province for a conference. We spoke with Sjoerd Bootsma, who was involved in this process. “That ISPA chose us is largely thanks to Lieven Bertels, who was the General Director of Cultural Capital Leeuwarden-Friesland 2018 at the time. Lieven had a strong network in the international festival world and was a member of the ISPA board. This network, together with his persuasiveness, played a crucial role in the decision to hold the conference in Friesland.”
“And,” he continues after a moment's thought, “it was of course not just about a suitable location. We also had a good proposition and we could offer a unique context, because we were also European Capital of Culture that year. There were also a number of larger artistic projects, like a major circus performance near Drachten and international theatre performances in Leeuwarden. This meant there was a very high-quality fringe programme for the conference visitors, which helped a lot. This made Friesland an attractive choice for ISPA.”
“And we delivered,” continues Sjoerd enthusiastically. “The feeling of involvement and the personal experience we offered the participants made the event unique and unforgettable for them.”
AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
“That wasn’t just because of the location, but also because of how we organised it,” says Sjoerd. “We didn’t offer the participants a standard location, we ventured through the entire province. Together we visited various cultural highlights. It was an intimate and personal approach. And it took huge preparations to go out with so many people every day,” he laughs. But it was a choice that made the participants happy. They really enjoyed this unique five-day event. Former ISPA CEO David Baile says: “I would definitely recommend Friesland as a conference destination. In a survey after our conference, over 97% of delegates said their experience was good or excellent. In addition to our formal programme, they enjoyed bike rides and excellent cultural activities, including theatre performances and museum visits.”
The province has 11 towns, the smallest of which are not much larger than a village. It is their historical significance that earned them their city rights. You’ll find works of art by regional and international artists both in the cities and in the middle of nature. Monuments that connect you with the environment.
The International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) personally experienced this secret superpower of the province. They held their mid-year congress in Friesland in 2018. The participants appreciated the breathtaking natural environment, the activities and the hospitality of the local people. Don't take our word for it, read the story of organiser Sjoerd Bootsma and ISPA CEO David Baile here.