Heilige Huisjes Festival
Downtown Den Bosch has a new winter event called the Heilige Huisjes (Holy Houses) Festival. It is a creative nod to the wooden houses at traditional Christmas markets. The city wants to build on that tradition, but in an innovative and distinctive way. Five squares in Den Bosch are adorned with a unique little house, each with its own story, theme and activity(s) designed by five designers from Den Bosch. The first edition of the festival will take place from 15 December to 28 December.
Organiser and initiator Den Bosch Partners (Citymarketing & Inner City Management) has asked five of the best Bossche designers to design and build a visually appealing holy house. All the houses will have their own theme, but share the Bossche core values: union, zest for life and imagination.
Den Bosch Partners director Mark de Greeff: “As a city of culture, we are rightly proud of our creative makers. By giving some of them a prominent role in the development of new projects, we show that we take them seriously. They really come up with innovative views and approaches that we could not have thought of ourselves. That makes us distinctive, with which we also want to appeal to younger audiences.”
Studio Corvers – the Cathedral of Tomorrow
In the Cathedral of Tomorrow, you help build the city of tomorrow. In the little house on the Church Square, you can do your bit by sharing your message on a shield. What does imagination mean to you? Or zest for life? Walk past the ‘Cathedral of Tomorrow’ and share with us your thoughts on the city of tomorrow.
Kranen/ Gille – Walk lightly away
Next to Joris’ Christmas tree on the Parade, you will find the little house Walk light away. The ‘Holy House’ by Kranen/ Gille is a respectful nod to the traditional Christmas family. Because, of course, a family today is not always as described in the Christmas stories. Compose your own family the way you see it, anything goes! Inside the cottage there is a large printing press where you can get to work yourself with stamps and a printing press. Et voilà: a family the way you see it to take home.
Geert Snijders – Mirror Mirror
Christmas is not just a time of coming together and being generous. It is also a time of self-care, personal reflection and good intentions for the new year.
The holy cottage in Minderbroedersplein serves as the city’s pash-hole. In a playful and approachable way, people can get to know Den Bosch’s new identity.
Aart van Asseldonk – Art of Associations
On Burg. Loeffplein you will find the little house Art of Uniting. The sacred little house invites you to come together and meet. As a visitor/passer-by, let yourself be surrounded by the overlapping colour areas of the cottage. And walk the corridors that lead to a common place, a place to meet. To come together. Because that’s what December is all about.
Studio Pekka – The Space Temple
On Wilhelminaplein, you’ll find the little house of connection. It is the place where people come together, share stories and build the ‘temple’ together. It is a cottage by and for the people of Bosschen. Come to the ‘Space Temple’ and share your story. Build the house together with your fellow residents of Bosschen.
The ‘Heilige Huisjes’ can still be visited until 28 December, more info via www.visitdenbosch.nl
Photography: Mari Durieux
Video: New Art Film