In 2026, it has been five years since the Colonies of Benevolence received UNESCO World Heritage status. This is being celebrated! Under the name Sustainable Buzz, Veenhuizen and Frederiksoord-Wilhelminaoord offer a full program of art, music, theater, and inspiring encounters.
“Sustainable Buzz was created to give a cultural and tourist boost to the Colonies of Benevolence and to bring this special story and heritage to a wide audience,” emphasizes Agnes Mulder, Kings Commissioner in the province of Drenthe.
Throughout the year, visitors are treated to surprising performances, interactive art installations, and inspiring stories. The intention is that various initiatives will become annual events; a jubilee celebration as a sustainable investment in art, culture, and heritage.
Press Presentation February 13
During the press presentation on Friday, February 13, at Museum De Proefkolonie in Frederiksoord, the entire program was discussed. Four newly developed projects were highlighted. These include the Nieuwe Gilde festival at De Proef in Frederiksoord, the KIEM artist collective and Noordergloed festival in Veenhuizen, and the site-specific theater De Kloof by Roestvrij Theater at various locations in the area.
“These projects symbolize the variety in the program,” says project leader Gerrit Kamstra. “With a varied setup, we hope to interest many different target groups in the unique story of the Colonies of Benevolence.” Organizer Willem Kaldenbach of the Noordergloed festival also emphasizes this approach: “Noordergloed is an innovative, multidisciplinary festival where culture, heritage, and encounters come together in the landscape of Veenhuizen.”
The anniversary year kicks off on May 8 and 9 with a World Heritage Congress and public day, where all 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Kingdom of the Netherlands are present and present themselves. The full program can be found on the websites of Marketing Drenthe, the province of Drenthe, and the Colonies of Benevolence.
Photography: Marcel J. de Jong