HAPPENING 21 & 25 JAN '26 | Fenix in Rotterdam is marking National Reading Days (Nationale Voorleesdagen) with Dutch-language story sessions on Plein and a small children’s book selection inside the Alle Richtingen exhibition. If your kids understand Dutch, you’ve got two easy dates to circle: a reading breakfast on 21 January and free read-aloud sessions on 25 January.
This month at Fenix, the focus is on reading aloud and how children’s stories have been used to talk about migration, from older titles to modern favourites like Prinses Arabella.
What are Nationale Voorleesdagen?
National Reading Days (Nationale Voorleesdagen) is a nationwide campaign that puts reading aloud at the centre, aimed at young children aged 0–6. The point is simple: reading aloud helps children pick up new words and follow stories more deeply, and it often turns into a habit you can actually keep going at home.
The Fenix Migration Museum is joining in with Dutch-language events on its indoor square, Plein, including a reading breakfast and an afternoon of author read-aloud sessions. Tickets for visiting Fenix are sold via: https://tickets.fenix.nl/nl/tickets
Alle Richtingen exhibition shows migration storybooks
Inside the Alle Richtingen exhibition, Fenix is showing a selection of international children’s (read-aloud) books that tell migration stories across time, ranging from Ludwig: De Kleine Landverhuizer (1834) to Prinses Arabella (2020).
Your kids do not need to recognise an 1834 title to enjoy this. Think of it as a visual, family-friendly stop where you can flip the conversation from “look at this picture” to “where do people come from, and why do they move”, in a way that suits their age.
Reading breakfast on 21 January offers Dutch storytime at Fenix
On Wednesday 21 January 2026, Fenix is hosting a National Reading Breakfast (Nationaal Voorleesontbijt) on Plein, with Henna Goudzand Nahar reading De Stem van Bever aloud. The session runs 10:30–11:30, with walk-in from 10:00.
Fenix lists this breakfast as suitable for children up to and including 4 years old, together with a parent or carer, and says the breakfast buffet is provided by Stichting Mano, including coffee and tea (free for children).
Tickets: https://tickets.fenix.nl/nl/hetnationalevoorleesontbijt/tickets
Sunday read-aloud sessions on 25 January
On Sunday 25 January, Plein at Fenix hosts free read-aloud sessions (voorleessessies) in the Plein theatre, with children’s book authors reading stories that touch on migration, being different, and celebrating diversity.
Programme (all sessions free):
- 13:00 – Henna Goudzand Nahar: Waarom Anansi de oceaan overstak (ages 6–12)
- 14:00 – Mylo Freeman: Prinses Arabella (ages 3–6)
- 15:00 – Henna Goudzand Nahar: Waarom Anansi de oceaan overstak (ages 6–12)
- 16:00 – Rigoberta Mejía Sian: Daarom heet ik zo (ages 4–7)
More info: https://www.fenix.nl/nl/te-zien-en-doen/voorleessessies-op-plein/
How to get to Fenix on Paul Nijghkade in Rotterdam
Fenix is on Katendrecht, at Paul Nijghkade 5, right by the water. The easiest public transport route is metro to Wilhelminaplein, then a short walk towards the quays.
If you want to make it feel like a mini adventure, Fenix also points out the watertaxi as a great way to arrive, especially if you’re already near the river.
