Eindhoven Hosts DE OPENING 2026 Cultural Season Launch

From 28 to 30 August 2026, Eindhoven will serve as the host city for DE OPENING 2026, the national celebration marking the start of the Dutch cultural season. The three‑day programme, organised by AVROTROS, will showcase music, theatre, dance and other arts with a largely free‑access schedule. On Friday, presenter Soy Kroon will open the live broadcast from Stadhuisplein, featuring performances by Zoë Livay, Joël Borelli, Karin Bloemen, Fresku and others. The weekend will culminate in the Musical Awards The Kick Off, where more than 70 musical stars will preview upcoming productions such as CATS, The Bodyguard, Dolly Dots, PIAF and Hadestown.

Meanwhile, Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder in Amsterdam is completing a thorough restoration of the 1530 triptych “De kruisafneming” by Pieter Coecke van Aelst. Restorers Gert van Gerven, Eric Bernhard and Caroline van der Elst have repaired panels, removed old varnish and restored original colours, with support from the Vereniging Rembrandt. The restored work will be rehung in the museum and a short documentary on the process will be shown on a screen beside the painting until the end of October 2026.