The city of Rotterdam is set to host the MOMO Fabrique Festival, a celebration of music, art, and performance, on the 2nd of September. This festival, taking place in the M4H port area, is a tribute to the city's innovative spirit and its vibrant cultural scene.

MOMO Fabrique Festival 2023

The festival, organised by Motel Mozaïque, is a day-long event focusing on electronic music. The 13-hour programme will feature live acts and DJs performing on various stages at Weelde, Fruitvis, and Citrusveiling. The line-up includes notable DJs and producers from both Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Daytime programme: Playground

On the 2nd of September, the multifaceted MOMO Fabrique festival will once again grace the M4H harbour area of Rotterdam. From noon until 5 p.m., the Keilekwartier will host the complimentary Playground, featuring live music, workshops, exhibitions, guided tours, a vintage & design market, gastronomic delights, and much more. The Keilekwartier in M4H is a vibrant hub, home to innovative, creative, and artisanal creators, ranging from furniture craftsmen and culinary experts to musicians and artists. During the MOMO Fabrique Playground, attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the works of these creators, set against the unique backdrop of the harbour area. 

Evening/Night programme: Electronic music and performances

The evening and nighttime segment of MOMO Fabrique will predominantly spotlight electronic music, featuring live sets and performances that extend deep into the night at venues such as the Fruitvis, Citrusveiling, and Weelde. Tickets for this segment can be procured from the Motel Mozaïque website.

Line-up

Aili / Barker (live) / Call Super / Charmaine / comforter2 / Faustin / gaiko (live) / HUNEE / Ishtar Bakhtali / JJAQ / Kems Kriol (live) / Loradeniz (live) / Nedda Sou / Nikos / R3LN4CHT / Salami Rose Joe Louis / Sarkawt Hamad / Seb H. / Suze Ijó

The dinner: A pre-opening for the MOMO Fabrique Festival

On the 1st of September, the eve of the MOMO Fabrique Festival, Motel Mozaïque will orchestrate a splendid dinner at the Voedseltuin. Guests can anticipate exquisite flavours curated by Chef Gilbert Kolff, utilising ingredients sourced from the M4H vicinity. Interspersed between courses will be captivating performances, and attendees will also have the privilege of witnessing the inauguration of the 'Petromelancholia' exhibition at the nearby Brutus. 

International Acts and Local Talent

The festival will also host internationally acclaimed producers and DJs. HUNEE, known for his eclectic style, will set the mood with a set on the beach of the Zandbar. Call Super's vibrant productions will keep the audience engaged until the late hours. Salami Rose Joe Louis, known for her surreal vocals and dynamic grooves, will perform at the Citrusveiling. The Belgian-Japanese duo Aili, representing the new sound of the Belgian music landscape, will also join the line-up.

Celebrating M4H

The M4H area, where the festival takes place, is one of the most progressive neighbourhoods in Rotterdam. It's a place where the city's maritime and industrial history intertwines with innovation, nightlife, and culture. The festival aims to celebrate this unique part of the city and its residents through music, guided tours, and art.

Directions to the Festival

The M4H port area is easily accessible and hosts many organisations that are integral to Rotterdam's cultural and nightlife. To reach the festival, attendees can use public transportation or drive. The area is known for its blend of industrial and modern architecture, with plenty of dining and entertainment options nearby.

Free Day Program

In addition to the main event, MOMO Fabrique also offers a free day program, featuring art, music, design, guided tours, and performances. Local creatives and entrepreneurs will present their work, and a market will be hosted.

The Arab Film Festival has arranged a special showcase titled 'Arab Women Film Days' which will run on 26th and 27th May. The event is designed as an introduction to the main festival scheduled for September and will exhibit three distinctive films, including an award-winning Jordanian drama, 'Daughters of Abdul-Rahman'.

Details of the Arab Women Film Days

Organisers of the Arab Film Festival have planned the Arab Women Film Days as a prelude to the main event which will take place from 5th to 10th September 2023. This year, the festival is shining a spotlight on women in Arab cinema. Three different films will be presented at LantarenVenster in Rotterdam, followed by discussions and a publication, collectively illuminating the position of women in contemporary Arab cinema.

The films featured

Three films will be exhibited during Arab Women Film Days. 'Daughters of Abdelrahman', directed by Zaid Abu Hamdan, explores the narrative of four diverse sisters who reconnect while searching for their missing father in patriarchal Jordan. The film is based on the director's mother's life, who was unable to achieve her dreams.

Another film, 'Curfew' by the Egyptian Amir Ramses, is a touching drama focusing on a mother and daughter revealing hidden emotions and family secrets during a quarantine in Egypt.

Finally, 'The Women in Block J', by Moroccan filmmaker Mohamed Nadif, pays tribute to women from various social backgrounds who bond through the shared experience of mental illness and offer each other unique support.

The themes of the Arab Film Festival 2023

Arab Women Film Days will be carried forward into the main Arab Film Festival in September, where two additional themes will be explored. One theme will offer a diverse film programme on Iraq, providing an updated perspective of the country 20 years post-invasion. The second theme honours the centenary of Sayed Darwish (1892-1923), a pivotal figure in modern Arabic music. Special compositions inspired by Darwish's work will be performed by the Doelen Ensemble during the opening.

About the Arab Film Festival

The Arab Film Festival is scheduled to take place from 5th to 10th September 2023 in Rotterdam, hosted in three locations: LantarenVenster, Pathé Schouwburgplein, and Verhalenhuis Belvédère. The festival, in collaboration with partners from the MENA region, handpicks films each year that challenge stereotypes and represent key works from Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq.

Programme for Arab Women Film Days

The Arab Women Film Days' schedule is as follows:

Friday, 26th May: 'Curfew' at 19:30 and 'The Women in Block J' at 21:30, with the director Mohamed Nadif in attendance.

Saturday, 27th May: 'Daughters of Abdul Rahman' at 19:15.

A short discussion will follow all screenings.

Directions to LantarenVenster

LantarenVenster is located at Otto Reuchlinweg 996, 3072 MD Rotterdam, Netherlands. It's situated in a vibrant area of the city, easily accessible by public transport and with ample parking. The area is buzzing with cultural venues, restaurants, and the famous Erasmus Bridge just a stone's throw away.

The Maaskantine in Rotterdam is set to become a hub of summer entertainment, offering a programme filled with films, games, and quizzes. This riverside venue, known for its relaxed atmosphere and stunning views of the Maas, is inviting locals and visitors alike to enjoy a variety of events under the starry summer sky.

A summer of entertainment at the Maaskantine

From this week, the Maaskantine is launching a series of events designed to make the summer in Rotterdam unforgettable. The programme includes screenings of popular films, both classics and blockbusters, as well as engaging games and quizzes.

"In collaboration with Pleinbios and Film in the Neighbourhood, we have created a delightful programme for the upcoming summer. We are organising game and quiz nights with attractive prizes. During 'Movie on the Beach', guests can enjoy top films in the open air, with a splendid view of the Maas and the city lights. There will be no dull moments for those staying in town this summer," said Ruben Venema, the owner of the Maaskantine.

Maaskantine. Photo credit: Alexander Santos Lima

Weekly events to look forward to

Every Friday during the summer, the Maaskantine will host a special event. The line-up includes the screening of the film 'Little Miss Sunshine' on 30 June and a '30 Seconds' tournament on 6 July. Quiz enthusiasts can test their knowledge during 'The Ultimate TV Show Quiz' on 20 July. Films, a carefully selected mix of cult classics and iconic blockbusters, will be shown on a large outdoor screen on the beach.

Special showcase event: Curated by

In addition to the regular programme, the Maaskantine will host 'Curated by' on 8 July, 12 August, and 16 September. This event, a collaboration with the New Generation Foundation, offers a unique opportunity to get to know artists in a personal way. The artists Beau Zwart, IKNOWNOA, and Ruwhel & the Bigi Blues Band will be featured.

About the Maaskantine

The Maaskantine is a summer hotspot located on the banks of the Maas in Rotterdam. It offers a mix of culinary delights, refreshing drinks, and a lively atmosphere. Whether it's for casual drinks, tasty dinners, cultural events, or summer film nights, the Maaskantine promises endless fun.

Directions to the Maaskantine

The Maaskantine is easily accessible and located in a vibrant area of Rotterdam.

Line-up De Achtertuin

Sekora and Trees for All

This year, the Tipi stage will be hosted by Sekora, a record label founded by Wesley Verheij (UOAK), who commits to sustainability as a DJ. As a nature enthusiast, he fuses electronic music and nature. For each release, he plants two trees with Trees for All.

Hosting a stage at Festival De Achtertuin is thus a logical step for Wesley and Sekora: “It's an opportunity to show that sustainability and electronic music can go hand in hand. This is where De Achtertuin and Sekora find common ground. We really consider sustainability: the festival takes place on existing grounds. A climbing wall and outdoor park are transformed into a stage. They genuinely look at what can be done with existing materials instead of building everything anew.”

Festival De Achtertuin Bergschenhoek

From 250 to 4000 attendees

Festival De Achtertuin welcomes all ages and is aimed at music lovers with a fondness for creative festivals, where art installations are as prominent as the line-up. The festival began in 2020 with a slimmed-down edition due to COVID-19 restrictions, attended by only 250 people. The sold-out 2021 edition was cancelled a day before construction started due to new COVID-19 measures. Despite the challenges that De Achtertuin and other festivals faced, the festival managed to grow, welcoming 2000 attendees in 2022. This year, the festival aims to double the visitor count to 4000.

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