November 2, 2015 · Team HG
From Thursday, November 19 to Saturday, November 21, Groningen will be all about ideas for the future of the city. These have been collected by more than 145 initiators. Let’s Gro is unique of its kind. A festival organized for and by Groningen residents. Free admission with a very diverse program. For three days, it is the place for new encounters and plans. Existing initiatives will be discussed and new initiatives in the city will become visible. The Municipality of Groningen provides support, the Groningen residents take care of the content. That is Let’s Gro!
More than 145 program items
This year's edition covers topics such as urban development, the new economy, social innovation, and culture & talent. In short, it covers everything that concerns everyone in and around the city. The special opening takes place on Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 PM on the Grote Markt with WANNAPLAY: swings that make music, with the participation of CBK Groningen, Club Guy & Roni, and Prins Claus Conservatorium. The evening then continues with, among other things, ‘De Man door Europa’, a theatrical performance by Lucas de Man, and a lecture by Adjiedj Bakas, the Netherlands’ leading trend watcher.
Top acts in the Spiegeltent on the Vismarkt
The Spiegeltent, located on the Vismarkt this year, is the place to be for a number of top acts. Francine Houben, an internationally leading architect – known for, among other things, the upcoming renovation of the New York Public Library and winner of the 2015 Prince Bernhard Culture Fund Prize – discusses Groningen’s plans for the city center and the importance of the library as the ‘cathedral of our time’. Canadians Gil Peñalosa, known for Cities 8-80, and city planner Brent Toderian talk about future-proof cities. Eddie Obeng, professor of change, tells us what transitional period we are in and what that means for Groningen.
Little treasures
There are also little gems, or "pronkjewaailtjes" as the people of Groningen call them. Groningen Broeit, for example, a unique crowdfunding event. And will there still be someone in ‘the shop of the future’ telling you what suits you and what doesn’t? Or will robots do this in the future? Another kind of future is also discussed: that of the market, already 350 years young. For how will things go for the next 350 years? Music, of course, cannot be missing. The ‘Forget-Me-Song’ is a heartwarming art project about the elderly and dementia by singer Kim Erkens. And music and art are also widely and extensively represented at the mini-culture festival Art Basement.
Exercise area
The young residents of Groningen are not being considered either. The Waagplein is being transformed into an activity square. Featuring a pumptrack, freestyle football with Tom Vegter, exercise in public spaces, and especially for the children, Hans Nijland from FC Groningen will be stopping by with two footballers. And just maybe a very special guest. The smartbikes are also special: hip bikes equipped with high-tech features by crazy gadget nerds. And all this in the world's best cycling city. But there is more, much more. The complete program for Let’s Gro 2015 can be found on the revamped website. www.letsgro.nl
