The Treaty of Utrecht: 300 Years Celebration
The famous Treaty of Utrecht, the peace treaty which marked the end of war between several European states in 1713 , celebrates its 300 year anniversary in 2013. With this comes a magnitude of exciting events, parties and special activities to honour this milestone. Arts Holland picks the highlights of this huge celebration – from special museum exhibitions to highway parties, from classical operas onboard freight ships to music festivals in airbase runways. Utrecht sure knows how to celebrate!
“A successful compromise that changed the world”
The peace treaty represents a turning point in world history. The treaty which was signed in Utrecht in March and April 1713, marked the end of the long War of the Spanish Succession and ensured long-term peace in the region. It brought a close to a long-standing rivalry between several European states including Spain, Great Britain, France, Portugal, Savoy and the Dutch Republic. More importantly, it preserved the European system based on the balance of power. It is a progressive and unique achievement which eventually became the basis of current international law and politics.
“War and Peace” in museums beginning in March
All the museums in Utrecht’s Museum Quarter will celebrate the Treaty of Utrecht tercentenary with special exhibitions and events under the general theme of “War and Peace”, named after Tolstoy's novel. Centraal Museum’s exhibition “In the Name of Peace” will open on 11 April, the exact anniversary of the signing of the Treaty in 1713.
AAMU (Aboriginal Art Museum Utrecht), will have a special exhibition called "BOMB - Adam Hill and Adam Geczy" where the two artists expose the consequences of the colonisation of Australia with riveting installations inside and outside the museum.
The iconic Dom Tower will showcase its role in the defense of the city throughout the centuries, while the Museum Speelklok will hold an exquisite Bal Masqué in its majestic grand ballroom.
The monastery-turned-museum Museum Catharijneconvent has an exhibition on "Surviving the Iconoclasm" as a prelude to its 2013 programme which includes a special exhibition "Forms of Tolerance: Religious Tolerance in the Golden Age" which brings the focus on pragmatic tolerance in Holland.
April
11: Trajectum Lumen – Follow a dazzling light and art installation throughout the charming canals and churches of Utrecht. Be there for the unveiling of London-based light art collective Speirs and Major's work in Trajectum Lumen. At the city hall, the Treaty of Utrecht 1713 commemorative painting by artist Semiramis Öner Mühürdaroglu will be unveiled. Combining these activities with Centraal Museum's opening of its special exhibition on the Treaty of Utrecht and the carillon relay at the Dom tower would surely make this lovely spring evening quite memorable.
13: Opening party at the A2 highway: "The Battle for Peace" - Join in the celebrations and attend the opening party on the roof of the A2 tunnel in the Leidsche Rijn. The concert features Metropole Orkest, Junkie XL and a grand fireworks display.
14: Cultural Sunday: Utrecht Dances! - The entire city transforms into one big dancefloor. The fourth Cultural Sunday event is called “Utrecht Dances” where restaurants, theatres, museums, churches and squares are filled with performances, presentations and workshops dedicated to dance.
20 – 28: Cities2Cities: International Literature Festival – Discover Berlin and Lisbon in Utrecht's International Literature Festival. This year, delve into the quintessential literature of Fernando Pessoa and Bertolt Brecht, be mesmerized by Portuguese fado music and seize the night with burlesque cabaret.
May
4 - 5: Liberation Day Festival (Bevrijdingsfestival) - The annual Liberation Day festival will be held again at Park Transwijk. The festival features a varied and extensive programme, mostly of performances by Dutch pop and rock artists.
5: Making Peace - An open air international photography exhibition with photos from international press agencies. The special exhibition has only been seen once before, in 2010 on the banks of Lake Geneva. The exhibition runs until 28 July.
16: SPRING - A new festival, fusion of Springdance and Festival aan de Werf, comes to town and brings in the best of contemporary dance, theatre, music and visual arts. Runs until 26 May.
June
20: Opera: Bluebeard - This chilling rendition of Bluebeard is presented by Holland Opera in association with the Carthago Consort and Utrecht Conservatorium. It begins at sunset at Fort Rijnauwen. Runs until 13 July.
20: Call of the Mall: International Art at the Central Station and Hoog Catharijne – Experience and discover works of Dutch and international artists in this large-scale exhibition at Utrecht’s central station and biggest mall. More than twenty-five highly acclaimed artists including Christian Jankowski, Inez van Lamsweerde and Sylvie Fleurie will showcase their works and reflect upon our roles in a rapidly changing world. Runs until 22 September.
July
3: Rheingold– As a celebration of the 200th year anniversary of Richard Wagner, a unique musical theatre will take place along the river Rhine. A massive cargo hold, a 90-piece orchestra, a full cast and 500 guests. Wagner’s opera Das Rheingold and a symphonic multimedia performance will take place onboard a freight ship and on the Rhine, exactly where Wagner based his masterpiece on. Be enchanted with this once in a lifetime event and drift away while listening to this classical opera gem.
6: Festival de Beschaving - This summer festival held at Utrecht’s Science Park is a day filled with music, adventure and new discoveries. Enjoy alternative music performances by established names as well as up-and-coming talent and international bands. This year’s edition includes a special Treaty of Utrecht celebratory programme.
13-14: Cross Culture Festival - Here comes a festival to celebrate outdoor culture! Cross Culture Festival at Griftpark is filled to the brim with exciting music, live performances, video mappings, a dance battle, skateboarding and a marathon jam session. Watch out for Utrecht’s fiercest dance battle, as well as a display of skills by world-class skateboarders.
August
23: Early Music Festival - Indulge in soul-stirring early music performances from the Medieval, Renaissance and the Baroque periods. At Early Music Festival, unique opportunities arise to listen to beautiful music in the city's most historical venues: churches, buildings, concert halls and museums. On this year’s edition, Utrecht Early Music Festival will work together with three other European early music festivals from Bremen, Venice and Versailles.
31: VJ at the Dom: Beats Barok – Enjoy DJs at the Dom Square, but this year with an added twist! In cooperation with Gaudeamus Music Week and Early Music Festival, there will be live performances by musicians from the Early Music and Gaudeamus programmes, resulting in a unique and exciting combination of new media and early and contemporary music.
September
1: Gaudeamus Music Week - Discover the latest developments in the global contemporary new music scene. The festival’s main highlight is the competition for young composers to win the prestigious Gaudeamus Prize.
14: Open Monument Day: Power and Pomp - Throughout the weekend of 14 and 15 September, various historical buildings, including the majestic Paushuize, will be open for visitors. Under the theme “Power and Pomp” – Open Monument Day reflects on diplomacy, democracy, monarchy, peace, justice, religion and the European connection.
21: Festival de Basis - Festival de Basis is the closing party of the Peace of Utrecht celebrations. The unique location is the former military airbase at Soesterberg, where everyone can join in the festivities with a varied music and theater prorgamme, an opportunity to cycle along the runways and nature walks guided by park rangers. Don’t miss out on the closing concert with many exciting acts, among which is the awe-inspiring Kyteman Orchestra.