ROTTERDAM, 15 January 2025 – A newly discovered painting by August Willem van Voorden has been added to Museum Rotterdam's collection, depicting early tourism in the city. The painting provides a unique view of the bustling Oosterkade and the emerging role of Fop Smit & Co in Rotterdam’s history.

^{Photo above: Rotterdam City Archives: Oosterkade viewed from the north, 1909. A Fop Smit ferry can be seen docked on the Nieuwe Maas River in the background. The far left and right edges of the image have been altered to fill an 1.91:1 aspect ratio.}

Museum Rotterdam acquires newly discovered Van Voorden painting

Museum Rotterdam has announced the acquisition of a painting by August Willem van Voorden, a notable Rotterdam artist active in the early 20th century. Created around 1910, the oil-on-canvas work (80 x 65 cm) provides a vivid portrayal of life on Rotterdam’s Oosterkade, capturing a pivotal moment in the city’s history when tourism was beginning to take shape.

The painting illustrates a lively scene at the Oosterkade. In the foreground, three stylishly dressed women are seen, one engrossed in a red Baedeker travel guide—a popular choice for tourists of that era. A luxury red cabriolet with its chauffeur stands nearby, while activity along the quay is marked by a ship and its workers. A prominent feature in the painting is the building of Fop Smit & Co, a Rotterdam-based steamship company that operated ferry services and leisure trips from 1877 to 1949. The background includes the spires of the original Willemsbrug and the distant shoreline of Noordereiland, all under a cloudy sky.

Museum Rotterdam Collection: Three women at the Oosterkade in Rotterdam, near Fop Smit & Co, painted by August Willem van Voorden, circa 1910. Photo: Lotte Stekelenburg.

Historical significance

Fop Smit & Co, depicted prominently in the painting, played an essential role in the development of regional tourism. The company’s steamship tours symbolised the height of the steam era and form part of the Canon of Zuid-Holland. The painting offers a rare glimpse into this period, with the inclusion of tourists in the foreground making it especially noteworthy. Typically, figures in cityscapes from this era are depicted in the background.

August Willem van Voorden: the ‘Rotterdam Breitner’

Van Voorden, born in Rotterdam in 1881, is often referred to as the ‘Rotterdam Breitner’ due to his impressionistic depictions of the city’s streets and harbours. His work is characterised by its atmospheric tones and rich detail, often reflecting the earthy palette of 19th-century Hague School painters. However, this newly discovered work marks a departure from his usual style, with its vibrant colours and lighter tones, offering a more dynamic and modern impression of Rotterdam during this period.

Van Voorden passed away in 1921, leaving behind a relatively small oeuvre. His work remains celebrated for its historical insight into early 20th-century Rotterdam.

The discovery

This painting was unknown until recently, having not been featured in the 2006 Van Voorden exhibition at Het Schielandshuis or its accompanying publication. The discovery of this piece adds significant historical and artistic value to Museum Rotterdam’s growing collection of cityscapes.

Rotterdam City Archives: Postcard from 1910 showing the landing stage at the Oosterkade, viewed from the east.

Rotterdam City Archives: Fop Smit & Co. Rotterdam. Winter service schedule for November-December 1908 and January-February 1909.

Museum Rotterdam’s future plans

Currently, Museum Rotterdam operates its '40-'45 NU' location at Coolhaven, focusing on the city’s experiences during the Second World War. Alongside this, the museum continues to engage with the community through educational programmes, walking tours, and loaning items from its collection. Plans for a new city museum, in collaboration with the Municipality of Rotterdam, are underway. This initiative aims to create a permanent space for preserving and celebrating Rotterdam’s rich heritage.

ROTTERDAM, 14 January 2025 – Reinier Gerritsen, a key figure in Rotterdam's cultural landscape, has been appointed director of Kunstgebouw. Gerritsen's background in local and provincial cultural policy positions him to steer the organisation forward.

Reinier Gerritsen appointed as director of Kunstgebouw

Reinier Gerritsen will assume the role of director at Kunstgebouw on 1 March 2025, following the announcement by the organisation’s supervisory board. The position has been vacant since October 2024, after Aukje Bolle departed to join Het Nieuwe Instituut. Leo Adriaanse has been serving as interim director during the transition period.

A familiar face in Rotterdam's cultural sector

Currently serving as team manager for Culture at the Municipality of Rotterdam, Gerritsen has an extensive history in the city's arts sector. He is a graduate of the Erasmus University, where he studied Cultural Sciences (Cultuurwetenschappen), and has been involved with the Rotterdam Council for Arts and Culture (Rotterdamse Raad voor Kunst en Cultuur). His experience spans municipal and national cultural policies, with a deep understanding of the needs of cultural institutions and creators in the South Holland region.

Gerritsen’s appointment aligns with Kunstgebouw’s mission to use arts and culture in education, social domains, and the economy. His expertise is expected to bolster these efforts significantly.

Leadership to shape the future of Kunstgebouw

Peter den Held, chair of the supervisory board, expressed optimism about Gerritsen’s appointment. “We are fortunate to welcome Reinier as a capable and enthusiastic addition to Kunstgebouw. With his leadership, we are taking an important step towards the future of our organisation.”

The appointment coincides with the implementation of Kunstgebouw’s multi-year policy plan (Meerjarenbeleidsplan) for 2025-2030. This vision aims to promote cultural accessibility throughout South Holland, and Gerritsen will work closely with the team to advance this mission.

Gerritsen's perspective on the role of culture

Gerritsen shared his thoughts on the transformative power of culture: “Culture can make a difference for everyone. It touches both the mind and the heart, broadens horizons, and encourages reflection on oneself and one’s surroundings. This is especially needed in today’s world. Kunstgebouw plays a crucial role in strengthening and stimulating culture in South Holland, working with municipalities, schools, social organisations, and cultural partners. I look forward to contributing to this work with energy and enthusiasm.”

About Kunstgebouw

Kunstgebouw serves as South Holland's provincial support organisation for culture. It facilitates partnerships, conducts research, shares knowledge, and supports cultural education and participation initiatives. Together with its partners, Kunstgebouw contributes to a dynamic and resilient cultural sector.

ROTTERDAM, 6 January 2025 – Emma and Noah have been revealed as the most popular baby names in the Netherlands for 2024, according to a list published by the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB). Gender-neutral names like Charlie are also gaining popularity.

Emma and Noah top baby name charts in 2024

The Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) has unveiled its annual list of the most popular baby names in the Netherlands. For the sixth consecutive year, Noah remains the most popular name for boys, given to 922 newborns in 2024. Emma, a name that ranked fourth in 2023, climbed to first place among girls, with 657 babies receiving the name.

In total, 165,594 babies were born in the Netherlands in 2024 up to November, comprising 84,990 boys and 80,604 girls. Gender-neutral names such as Charlie also stood out, with an equal number of boys and girls (156 each) receiving the name.

Names with regional and urban variations

While Noah and Emma dominate the national rankings, the preference for names shows notable variation across provinces and cities. In South Holland (Zuid-Holland), Noah and Olivia were the most frequently given names, reflecting broader national trends. However, in Rotterdam, names like Mohammed and Inaya are among the most popular, indicating the city's diverse population. For girls, names ending in “-a,” such as Maya, Aya, and Sofia, remain particularly popular in Rotterdam and other major cities.

Top 10 baby names of 2024

Insights from name expert

Gerrit Bloothooft, a naming researcher at Utrecht University, noted that names in urban areas reflect the social composition of cities. In Rotterdam, Mohammed remains a top choice for boys, often appearing in different spellings such as Mohamed, Muhammed, and Muhammad. For girls, names like Inaya and Noor highlight the cultural influences in urban naming trends.

How the SVB compiles the list

The SVB, responsible for administering child benefits (kinderbijslag), publishes the annual baby name list based on names provided during birth registration. To protect privacy, only names given at least 10 times are included in the overview.

ROTTERDAM, 16 December 2024 – The winners of the Rotterdam Music Awards 2024 were announced at Theater Zuidplein, celebrating the highlights of Rotterdam’s diverse music scene.

Rotterdam Music Awards 2024 winners announced

The 11th edition of the Rotterdam Music Awards took place on Monday, 16 December at Theater Zuidplein. Organised by Popunie, the annual event highlights the city’s music achievements over the past year. Various artists, venues, and initiatives were recognised across eight categories. The evening also saw the presentation of the book Rotterdam Popstad, a comprehensive overview of 70 years of Rotterdam pop music.

2024 winners in eight categories

The awards ceremony began with a spoken word performance by Elten Kiene, setting the stage for the announcement of winners in the following categories:

• Best Festival: Motel Mozaïque won for its eclectic mix of music, art, and performances.
• Best Venue (Beste Podium): MONO was recognised for its role as a cultural meeting place for alternative sounds, fostering events, workshops, and emerging talent.
• Export Award: Singer-songwriter Jessy Yasmeen received the award for her successful international tour, including performances in Cuba and the Caribbean.
• Best Club Night: FOMO, known for its multidisciplinary approach combining art and club culture, was honoured for its experimental events and platform for up-and-coming DJs.
• Encouragement Award (Stimuleringsprijs): Daan Arets and Stichting GloMAD were recognised for promoting world music through events like Global Music Nights and World Sessions at venues including Lab Grounds and Batavierhuis.
• Rotterdam Track of the Year: Philia by L’orne was voted the standout track. The band also celebrated a successful year with a new album and performances beyond the city.
• Rotterdam Album of the Year: Is Dit Nou Blues? by Ruwhel & De Bigi Blues Band won public acclaim. Their album, blending jazzy, Caribbean-inspired hip-hop blues, was also part of a successful theatre tour.
• The Promise (De Belofte): Hana Fatur was named the most promising talent of 2024, earning a €10,000 work budget.

The awards were presented by notable figures including Francis Pronk, Thijs Boer, and Frans Vreeke. The event featured performances by Ruwhel & De Bigi Blues Band, Lindi, and L’orne, alongside a special set by Hana Fatur, De Belofte of 2024.

Presentation of Rotterdam Popstad

The evening included the unveiling of Rotterdam Popstad, a 560-page book chronicling the city’s pop music history. Written by Remko van Bork and published by Popunie, the book features over 500 bands, musicians, venues, and festivals. Rotterdam gabber icon Paul Elstak received the first copy. The book is now available for €29.95 at Rotterdam’s music and bookshops as well as online.

About the Rotterdam Music Awards

Launched in 2014 by Popunie, the Rotterdam Music Awards spotlight the quality and diversity of the city’s music sector. Nominees are selected in collaboration with partners including Rotterdam Festivals, VNPF, Cultural Bridges, Music Matters, and N8W8 R’dam.