Step into another's shoes: Apeldoorn's immersive Dome experience challenges perspectives
From March 24-26, Apeldoorn residents can visit De Dome, an immersive 360-degree experience designed to foster empathy by simulating the lives of those facing loneliness, homelessness, or exclusion. Tickets cost €9.95, with options for Stadspas holders.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | De Dome |
| Location | Marktplein, Apeldoorn |
| Dates | March 24-26, 2026 |
| Start Times | 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 9:00 PM |
| Capacity per Session | 60 visitors |
| Ticket Price | €9.95 (Stadspas holders: free) |
| Initiator | Hanna van der Horst |
| Opening by | Alderman Anja Prins |
| Stories Featured | Loneliness, homelessness, exclusion |
| Funding | Resident-led project subsidy |
The municipality of Apeldoorn supports resident-led initiatives like De Dome through subsidies, aiming to enhance community engagement and social cohesion. Such projects reflect the local government’s role in fostering empathy and inclusivity among citizens.
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Read the full translated article below
Take a moment in someone else’s life: visit De Dome at Marktplein
From Tuesday, March 24 to Thursday, March 26, something special will be taking place at Marktplein in Apeldoorn: De Dome. A large white dome ten meters wide, where you can step into someone else’s life. Initiator Hanna van der Horst aims to make people pause and reflect on how quickly we form judgments about others, often without knowing the full story. The initiative was made possible with a subsidy for resident-led projects.
Alderman for resident participation Anja Prins will open De Dome on March 24 together with Hanna van der Horst. Afterward, the experience will be available to residents on three evenings. Start times are 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 9:00 PM. Each session can accommodate 60 visitors. Participation costs €9.95. Tickets can be reserved via this page. At the venue, a banner with a QR code will also be available for purchasing tickets. Residents for whom the cost is a barrier can indicate this and will be granted access upon showing their Stadspas.
Inside De Dome, visitors experience a unique 360-degree immersive story. The narrative unfolds not on a flat screen but all around you, as if you’re standing right in the middle of it. It’s not just about watching—it’s about experiencing, seeing, and feeling what it’s like to be in a different situation. For example, how it feels to be lonely, homeless, or excluded. This helps you better understand what others may be going through.
Anja Prins: “De Dome shows how important it is to look out for one another. By stepping into someone else’s life, understanding grows. I hope this inspires residents to make a difference for others.”
Three stories
In De Dome, visitors experience three different stories: Sem, a 17-year-old boy who feels lonely, what it’s like to be homeless, and finally, how Leyla is treated because of her surname. The stories are performed by actors but are inspired by real-life situations in the Netherlands.
Have a great idea? Make it happen!
De Dome was made possible with a subsidy for resident-led initiatives from the municipality of Apeldoorn. Do you have a great idea for your neighborhood or city? Check out this page.
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