ROTTERDAM, 18 April 2025 – A citywide search is underway to uncover the pubs that still hold the heart of Rotterdam’s neighbourhood life. Residents are being asked to nominate their favourite 'brown cafés'.

_{Image: Cafe Voorheen Companjen. On the left: Nicole from Wijkcollectie, on the right: Léontine from Museum Rotterdam. Photo credit: Marijke Gips}

In search of Rotterdam’s most authentic pub

Museum Rotterdam and Stichting Wijkcollectie have launched a new initiative to map and honour the city’s traditional pubs—known locally as bruine kroegen—as part of an effort to preserve Rotterdam’s living cultural heritage.

The initiative follows a motion passed by the Rotterdam city council in December 2024. With rising pressure from gentrification and changing nightlife trends, many of these long-standing neighbourhood bars are disappearing, often replaced by modern cafés and boutique venues. In response, the council called for an inventory of brown cafés that may qualify as Echt Rotterdams Erfgoed (“Real Rotterdam Heritage”).

At present, only one venue—De Schouw—has ever received that designation. Though it no longer exists in its original form, its legacy lives on. Now, a new chapter begins.

A living room for the neighbourhood

Traditional brown cafés have long served as more than watering holes. Their wood-panelled interiors and timeworn beer taps have hosted friendships, reunions, and countless everyday conversations. In some neighbourhoods, these cafés act as informal community centres—open to all, familiar to many.

“A brown café is more than a place to drink,” said Nicole van Dijk, director of Stichting Wijkcollectie. “It’s a neighbourhood living room. People come together here, stories are shared, and problems are sometimes solved. That kind of accessibility is vital to the social fabric of the city.”

Léontine Meijer-van Mensch, director of Museum Rotterdam, echoed the sentiment. “Rotterdam is always evolving,” she said. “But some parts of the city’s identity are worth holding on to. Brown cafés often have a long family history and play a unique role in their communities.”

How pubs will be selected

The team is now visiting pubs across the city, focusing on those nominated by residents. Selection will be based on criteria such as social significance, continuity, and connection to the neighbourhood. All findings will be documented visually, and an advisory council will review which pubs are ultimately added to the Echt Rotterdams Erfgoed collection.

This process is not entirely new; over the years, Stichting Wijkcollectie has already added more than 100 stories to the heritage collection through similar grassroots contributions. The current campaign simply shines a spotlight on a specific part of city life—pubs that may not look like much from the outside, but tell a bigger story within.

Preserving the soul of Rotterdam’s café culture

Once recognised as heritage, each pub’s story becomes part of the city’s public record—sometimes via exhibitions, and always with the aim of honouring everyday places. Past efforts to document pub life have included photography by Otto Snoek, whose early 2000s portraits captured the atmosphere and regulars of the city's cafés. His work is now part of Museum Rotterdam’s permanent collection, along with vintage pub signs, beer glasses and advertising memorabilia from the Oranjeboom brewery, which once operated in the city centre.

The project hopes to celebrate these spaces while they’re still alive—rather than only remembering them after they’re gone.

Nominate your local

Anyone with a favourite brown café is invited to contribute. Whether it’s a pub where generations have gathered, or simply a place that never fails to feel like home, nominations are welcome by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ROTTERDAM, 14 April 2025 – Rotterdam Architectuur Maand 2025 will spotlight the Schiemond district, transforming its raw and often-overlooked waterfront into a temporary architecture and culture hub. The event explores how reuse, local creativity and community engagement can reshape urban spaces.

Schiemond to host Rotterdam Architectuur Maand 2025 festival heart

The 2025 edition of Rotterdam Architectuur Maand (RA Maand) will take place in a seldom-visited part of the city: the quayside behind the Schiehavenhallen in Schiemond. Once neglected and inaccessible, the area will be temporarily reimagined this June as the central gathering point of the month-long architecture event.

Built with reused materials and supported by local creatives, the temporary structures aim to reflect the dynamic, evolving nature of the district. The programme will serve not only as a cultural venue but also as an experimental site for ideas around sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Schiemond as a place of contrast and transition

Schiemond, situated between post-war social housing and upscale developments along the Lloydkade, is seen as a location of urban tension and transformation. The event will take place specifically in the Schiehaven-Noord area, which is earmarked for redevelopment into a 'Paris Proof' (klimaatbestendig) and inclusive neighbourhood in line with Rotterdam’s climate ambitions.

Before such long-term plans are implemented, RA Maand intends to explore the area's potential by temporarily opening it up to experimentation, dialogue and creative reuse. The unpolished atmosphere of the location is considered ideal for authentic encounters and informal architectural interventions.

Rotterdam Architecture Month 2025 in Schiemond

Locally-led collaborations on site

In collaboration with local initiatives such as Placebased, Gore Tengels and ArchitectuurMAKEN, the quayside will host a series of installations and gathering spaces constructed entirely from reclaimed materials. The aim is to demonstrate what can be achieved using what is already available.

Benches and planters will be made from timber found on-site, with greenery curated by Gore Tengels. ArchitectuurMAKEN will construct a temporary grandstand and stage using leftover construction materials, alongside a ‘spreeuwenpaviljoen’ (starling pavilion) designed with Studio Method. All built elements are circular and intended to be reused after the event ends.

'Dit is mijn wijk': photography project puts local people first

The human aspect of urban development is highlighted through the project Dit is mijn wijk ("This is my neighbourhood"), which focuses on everyday life in Schiemond and the neighbouring Lloydkwartier. Through a collection of personal photographs, the project offers a grounded and intimate view of the district.

By depicting children playing, neighbours socialising, and the views from local flats, the initiative seeks to foreground the lived experience of residents during this time of change. Developed by AIR and De Groene Connectie, the project advocates for a community-first approach to spatial development.

Opening event on 1 June at Kroonkwartier

The official launch of the month-long programme will take place on 1 June with an opening event across the Kroonkwartier. The Schiehavenhallen, De Kroon and Het Veerhuis will open their doors to the public, hosting live performances, a design market featuring local makers, open studios, creative workshops and guided tours.

Operator Radio will broadcast live from the Schiehavenhallen, followed by a DJ set to close the evening. Activities for children will also be part of the festivities.

Practical information

When: 1–30 June 2025
Where: The main festival hub is located at Schiehavenhal 17 and the adjacent quay. The broader programme includes approximately 125 events at over 40 locations across the city.
Admission: Free, unless otherwise indicated.
Website: rotterdamarchitectuurmaand.nl

Directions to the festival heart

The central festival location is set at Schiehavenhal 17, located on the quay behind the Schiehavenhallen in Schiemond. The area lies west of the city centre, between the Lloydkwartier and Marconiplein, and can be accessed easily via tram, metro or bicycle. The surroundings include a mix of industrial heritage, new waterfront developments, and green walking routes along the river.

ROTTERDAM, 15 April 2025 – Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival returns this summer with a diverse line-up reflecting both tradition and bold innovation. The festival will take place on 4, 5 and 6 July at Noordplein in Rotterdam’s Oude Noorden.

_{Photo credit: Images courtesy of Johannes Odé}

Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival reveals full line-up for 2025

The full programme for the 2025 edition of Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival has been announced. Scheduled for 4 to 6 July, the event will once again take place on Noordplein in Rotterdam. Known for blending traditional roots music with unexpected collaborations and styles, this year’s line-up includes 27 acts from across the globe.

American headliners such as The Devil Makes Three, Nick Shoulders, The Brothers Comatose and Brennen Leigh are expected to draw attention to the city. Meanwhile, the Dutch bluegrass scene will also be prominently featured. Notable performances include Blue Grass Boogiemen with Tim Knol, and a collaborative set by Maurice van Hoek and Bertolf, which pays tribute to iconic bluegrass duos.

Among the international acts are Bab L’ Bluz, a French-Moroccan group merging North African blues with psychedelic rock, and Jake Blount, whose music draws from African American folk traditions. Returning to the festival is Angry Zeta, a punkgrass band from Argentina that has proven popular in past editions. 

Embracing difference and connection

The 2025 edition places strong emphasis on inclusion and connection through music. One of the more unconventional performances will be by Creekbed Carter Hogan, a folk and country artist from Texas whose songs reflect their experience as a trans person raised in a religious environment. Julia Beets will offer a unique blend of gabber and bluegrass in her workshop “GabberGrass,” showcasing how seemingly opposing cultures can complement each other.

The organisers highlight these choices as a response to growing societal polarisation, aiming to offer an environment where everyone feels represented and welcome. A diverse audience, from bluegrass enthusiasts to curious locals, is expected to gather at the festival grounds in Rotterdam Noord.

Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival reveals 2025 line-up. Photo credit: Johannes Odé

Community roots and accessibility

Originally founded in 2009 as a local gathering on Pijnackerplein, Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival has grown into one of Europe’s more prominent bluegrass events. This year’s edition has been shifted to the first weekend of July due to the NATO summit taking place in nearby The Hague.

In a continued effort to keep the event accessible, ticket prices remain relatively low. A day pass is priced at €17, while a full weekend ticket costs €45. Children aged 14 and under may attend for free. In partnership with Stichting Nieuw Vaarwater, the festival is also offering free entry, food and drinks to individuals participating in debt relief programmes.

Full line-up for 2025

The confirmed artists for this year’s edition include:

The Devil Makes Three (US) // The Brothers Comatose (US) // Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band (US) // Nick Shoulders (US) // Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys (CAN) // Brennen Leigh & Joshua Hedley (US) // Tim Knol & Blue Grass Boogiemen (NL) // Jake Blount (US) // Pert Near Sandstone (US) // Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves (CAN/US) // Angry Zeta (ARG) // Chicken Wire Empire (US) // Daddy Long Legs (US) // Maurice van Hoek & Bertolf (NL) // Addie Levy (US) // Creekbed Carter Hogan (US) // Jourdan Thibodeaux et les Rôdailleurs (US) // Yes Ma'am (US) // Bab L’ Bluz (FR/MA) // Pixie and the Partygrass Boys (US) // Radim Zenkl & Ondra Kozák (CZ) // Dom Glynn & His Sunday Best (UK) // Taff Rapids (WAL) // Blue Forest Pickers (NL) // The Vaudevillian (CAN) // The New West (NL) // Renegade Bandits (NL)

How to get there

Noordplein, Rotterdam

The festival will take place at Noordplein, located in the vibrant Oude Noorden neighbourhood. This area, known for its creative energy and multicultural vibe, is easily accessible by public transport. From Rotterdam Centraal, take tram 8 to Zaagmolenstraat or tram 4 to Noorderbrug. Cyclists can make use of several bike racks in the vicinity, while limited parking is available for cars.

ROTTERDAM, 8 April 2025 – A new mural on Coolsingel reflects the rhythm of the city and the inner journey of Rotterdam-based artist Tjado. The work transforms a construction site into a temporary gallery space.

Rotterdam artist Tjado adds waves of energy to Coolsingel mural

A new public artwork by local artist Tjado Astrando Boerleider has been unveiled on the construction hoarding of EDGE Coolsingel, as part of the ongoing 'Show me your heart' artist competition. The mural, which stretches eleven metres wide and two metres high, has been created to reflect the artist’s connection with Rotterdam and its ever-changing energy.

Tjado, a self-taught painter who also works as a chef, described the city as “a powerful wave that embraces and propels me forward.” This personal symbolism is reflected in his piece, which blends the natural motion of the sea with the structured pulse of urban life. Wave motifs and layered textures are central elements in the work, capturing what he describes as his relationship with overcoming fear and exploring new paths.

Tjado’s mural brings wave energy to Coolsingel

Construction site becomes open-air gallery

The EDGE Coolsingel Artist Competition has been set up to allow local artists to display their work in a central, public setting. Throughout the duration of the construction project, different artists are invited to create temporary murals on the construction fences. Each piece remains on view for approximately three months before a new work takes its place.

This initiative began in late 2024, with the first contribution from artist Melissa Moria. Tjado’s contribution marks the second phase of the competition, which will continue until August 2026. At the end of the competition, a final selection will be made, and the winning artist will be offered a permanent installation in the completed EDGE Coolsingel building.

Public input shapes the competition

The winning artwork will be chosen through a combination of public voting and input from the EDGE Coolsingel project team. Residents and visitors can learn more about the competition and vote via the official website www.showmeyour.art.

The initiative is supported by Edge, a property development company with ongoing projects in the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The company focuses on integrating sustainable and innovative design within the built environment.

About the artist

Tjado is based in Rotterdam and is known for painting fluid, abstract compositions influenced by his surroundings and emotions. His dual life as a chef and visual artist informs a practice rooted in movement and transformation. More of his work can be viewed via his official website and Instagram (@tjadopaintings).

Location and directions

The artwork is located at Coolsingel 75, directly opposite Rotterdam City Hall (Stadhuis). The mural is displayed along the hoardings surrounding the EDGE Coolsingel development site. This area lies at the heart of Rotterdam's city centre and is easily accessible by tram, metro, and on foot from Rotterdam Central Station.