Due to snowfall, the New Years meeting on January 5 could not take place. On Monday, January 26, three weeks later, it finally happened, marking the kickoff of the anniversary year 40 years Province of Flevoland at the provincial hall. A year full of activities and celebrations where residents, entrepreneurs, partners, and visitors can reflect on the origin and development of the newest province of the Netherlands.

Launch of the 40 Years Province of Flevoland Logo

An anniversary year naturally comes with a special logo. The anniversary logo of 40 years Province of Flevoland was spectacularly unveiled at the end of the afternoon through a light show, provided by, among others, the Lightpainters from the Noordoostpolder. The logo, composed of six iconic symbols, one from each municipality, characterizes the province and makes the story of Flevoland visible.

Special Performances and Music

The program of the New Years meeting offered a rich mix of culture and music. Writer and historian Eva Vriend gave a concert lecture called Old Sea, New Land together with Renée Bekkers and Klaartje van Veldhoven, the Apollo Ensemble performed an arrangement of the orchestral work Water Music by Georg Friedrich Händel, and the Hoge Zee choir from Almere performed the Flevoland anthem in a new version. Theater Draad then brought everything together during a creative final sketch.

Speech and Presentation of the Kiekendief

Kings Commissioner Arjen Gerritsen addressed all guests during the New Years meeting and looked ahead to the significance of 40 years Province of Flevoland:

“2026 marks 40 years of Flevoland. Forty years as a province. Forty years of building together on land that was won not only from the sea but also from vision, craftsmanship, and trust.

We Flevoland. That is the motto we hold up to every resident of Flevoland this year. We Flevoland. Those are the people who have designed, governed, and grown this land. We Flevoland. Those are the entrepreneurs, farmers, livestock farmers, fishermen, teachers, youth workers, technicians, firefighters and police officers, doctors and nurses, nature managers. We Flevoland. Those are all the inhabitants who came here sooner or later and built a new existence. They are the people, young and old, born and raised here.

We Flevoland. That is not just a slogan. It is an attitude. A promise. A promise that we have made this land together and will continue to develop it together. That every community counts. That every contribution matters. This anniversary year is about self-awareness. About pride. About the Flevoland feeling. Not loud, but firm. Not looking back, but forward. Forty years ago we started here. Today we stand firm. And tomorrow we will build further. Together. We Flevoland!”

Afterwards, he honored Eva Vriend by awarding her the Kiekendief. She received this recognition for her efforts to put Flevoland on the national and international map.

Looking Ahead to the Anniversary Year

Besides a full program, there was room to look ahead to the celebrations that will mark the anniversary year. For example, the theater company Suburbia will bring a performance traveling through all municipalities, the province will host the official opening of the VriendenLoterij Open Monument Day, and a platform especially for Flevoland youth will be launched.

WE FLEVOLAND

During the meeting, a live connection was made with Urk, where Gerrit Post, local and reporter for a day, unveiled the meters-high WE FLEVOLAND letters. These letters form the heart of the campaign of the same name that makes Flevolands own identity visible and stronger. The letters will travel throughout Flevoland all year and visit all municipalities.

Special Website

For 40 years Province of Flevoland a special web environment has been created. All information, events, and retrospectives can be found at www.flevoland.nl/40jaar. A toolkit with promotional materials has also been made. Anyone organizing an event, meeting, gathering, etc. can use this toolkit to celebrate 40 years Province of Flevoland. The toolkit (including a document on how to use it) can be found at www.flevoland.nl/40jaar/toolkit. Additionally, various campaigns will run via the provinces social media channels (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn).

Will You Join?

With this kickoff, 2026 promises to be a year in which Flevoland celebrates its history, connects its residents, and looks to the future with pride. Will you join?