
Marboei-poems at Obe
From 14 December 2018 to 2 February 2019, Lân van Taal, in collaboration with cultural magazine ‘de Moanne’ and BWH designers, is organizing a Marboei exhibition in visitor center Obe.

Northern Film Festival
Re-Opening, part of Leeuwarden-Fryslân 2018, will end in November with the 39th edition of the Northern Film Festival. As always, you will be able to enjoy great films, interesting documentaries and local talent, although this year the festival’s spotlight will also be on language.

Zinspinsels vocabulary development illustration
Well-known children’s bookmaker Charlotte Dematons drew the vocabulary development illustration ‘Zinspinsels’ for the Frisian libraries and Lân fan taal. The illustration shows what language is all about using some text but mainly images. The Frisian libraries will take the vocabulary development illustration in poster form to more than 56,000 primary school pupils in Friesland in […]

Stimmen: science – lectures
Main program
In 2018, the University of Groningen and Lân fan taal will organize six popular scientific lectures, with a focus on language. They take place on Tuesday evenings from 20.00-21.00 in Obe. Free entrance, but you have to sign up.

More activities
Most activities on our calendar are connected to one of our (partners) specific projects. But, there are more activities that we would like to bring to your attention in Lân fan taal. These activities you’ll find below.

Community Projects: Theatre
Community program
Within Lân fan taal is of course a place for ‘mienskip’ (means community) projects! Below are the projects that are supported by the special LFT subsidy scheme and are related to ‘theatre’. They are all public-oriented cultural activities with special attention to multilingualism.

Community Projects: Language Adventure
Community program
Within Lân fan taal is of course a place for ‘mienskip’ (means community) projects! Below are the projects that are supported by the special LFT subsidy scheme and are related to ‘language adventure’. They are all public-oriented cultural activities with special attention to multilingualism.

Community Projects: Poetry
Community program
Within Lân fan taal is of course a place for ‘mienskip’ (means community) projects! Below are the projects that are supported by the special LFT subsidy scheme and are related to ‘poetry’. They are all public-oriented cultural activities with special attention to multilingualism.

Community Projects: Education
Community program
Within Lân fan taal is of course a place for ‘mienskip’ (means community) projects! Below are the projects that are supported by the special LFT subsidy scheme and are related to ‘education’. They are all public-oriented cultural activities with special attention to multilingualism.

Community Projects: Visual art
Community program
Within Lân fan taal is of course a place for ‘mienskip’ (means community) projects! Below are the projects that are supported by the special LFT subsidy scheme and are related to ‘visual art’. They are all public-oriented cultural activities with special attention to multilingualism.

Sichtberens
Making the Frisian language and multilingualism visible in public space in a playful and visual way, that is what the ‘Sichtberens’ (Frisian for visibility) project is all about!

In the courtyard of the Fryske Akademy
Main program
Numerous great language initiatives will blossom in the (normally closed) courtyard of the Fryske Akademy. Here you can have kilometres of Frisian words sponsored, find animals of Frisian origin, or in any case hear how they have crept into our language. The many languages spoken in Leeuwarden will also set up camp here, and you […]

Education – Primary and secondary
In addition to a free Language Kit, there are more events and programmes suitable for both primary and secondary education.

Education – Primary education
Why does language exist? What can you do with it? The Lân fan taal educational programme is based around the necessity of language. And, not to forget: the love of language! Primary school pupils can discover what the body says, use the amazing “talkboard” by illustrator Charlotte Dematons, and take part in a multilingual musical!

Language tour
Main program
Our language and our city, both are well known to us. We know the words, sentences and questions, and we know the streets, the sounds, the crowds and the people. Or do we? Join us on the ‘Taaltoer’ / Language Tour. Discover that language does not speak for itself, and that it has some odd […]

Frysk Diktee
Secondary program
The Frysk Diktee (Frisian Dictation) has a long and illustrious tradition. Many famous and not-so-famous Frisians attempt this ultimate language challenge each year. The Nationale Dictee (National Dictation) is disappearing, but in Friesland we’re actually going a step further. We are even going for a record attempt!

A party for the deaf
Secondary program
Sign language and communication between hearing and deaf people are indispensable elements of Lân fan taal. For example, the catering facilities in Language Pavilion MEM will be run by deaf and hearing impaired persons. Will ordering a cup of coffee be as easy as “usual”? On World Deaf Day, there will be a multi-sensory experience […]

Game – US: Lân fan taal
Main program
Unravel an ancient mystery with a brand new game! It is 1867. Cornelis over de Linden discovers a runic manuscript describing a 4,000-year-old Frisian civilisation. He reveals his discovery, and in 1872 it is published under the name “Oera Linda”. But is the piece genuine, or is it a complete forgery? Join one of the […]

Historic travel agency and guide
Main program
Would you like to know how language and writing can connect you to your Frisian ancestors? Who were those ancestors, actually? Where did they live? How did they live? You may find it difficult to find answers to these questions on your own. There is a lot of information on the Internet, but how and […]

When language is no fun
Secondary program
Language is amazing, but not for everyone. People with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) often don’t experience language as much fun. Children with Developmental Language Disorder have difficulty in talking, learning to speak and understanding language. Their brains are less effective at processing language. This results in lagging development and frustration.

Mini festivals
Main program
Did you know that the Oldehove will become a spectacular projection screen during 2018? And that’s something to celebrate! That’s why Lân fan taal and Explore the North are organising three mini festivals in the heart of Leeuwarden. The projections are a fine excuse and source of inspiration.

Sjong! Zing! Sing!
Secondary program
Isn’t it great to sing in class? In Frisian, another language, or even in several languages? During 2017-18, schools and classes will write their own lyrics about themselves and their environment, and will audition with these for a talent contest in May. As a warm up, schools will be invited to sing along during the […]

Meeuw Young Writers
Secondary program
Do you enjoy writing for the stage? And do you also enjoy taking to the stage (with others) to present your own poetry, story or performance? Good news: you can now take lessons from the best!

Potatoes go Wild
Secondary program
Are you aware of how important arable farmers are for your daily meal? The potato weeks in Het Bildt will highlight this with surprising literary projects and events. One fantastic element is a poetic exchange with Valetta, which is the other European Capital of Culture in 2018!

Open programme
Community program
Of course, there’s also a place for mienskip (community) projects during Lân fan taal! The province of Friesland is operating a special LFT subsidy scheme during 2017. 7 larger and 6 smaller projects have already been awarded financial support during the first round. They are all cultural activities with a public focus and special attention […]

Art Installation by Tim Etchells
Main program
The British artist, Tim Etchells, has created a new, space-filling work for the new Lân fan Taal building at the Oldehoofsterkerkhof. The ingredients: neon letters, telephones and poetic messages!

Obe – Visitor centre Lân fan taal
Main program
A brand new building forms the entrance to Lân fan taal: Obe. You will be welcomed here as a new “resident” and you can immediately (and playfully) get to work with language. Experience the art installation by Tim Etchells and find out what else there is to do!

Language Pavilion MeM – Livingroom of Languages
Main program
Where can you experience many languages in 2018 and enjoy activities and food from many different language communities? In the specially-designed language pavilion MeM (Frisian for ‘mother’) in the Prinsentuin. At MeM it’s as homely inside as its outer appearance suggests!

Treasure trove of the Frisian culture
Main program
“Ssshh…! In Tresoar, time whispers.” For those who like to see and to listen, Tresoar is a grindstone for thoughts, a source of inspiration, and a memory machine running at full speed with voices of the present and past in documents, films, photos and books. It’s “the place to be” for all those interested in […]

Life-sized projections Oldehove
Main program
The Oldehove was too skewed and too unfinished to be a status symbol for Leeuwarden. However, for Lân van taal, the tower – often the subject of story and song – is in fact a perfect, stubborn icon. It’s also the ideal background for four video artworks created by various, unexpected combinations of (language) artists!

Language Garden
Main program
From 31st of March to 28to of October 2018, the Prinsentuin in Leeuwarden will be transformed into the Language Garden, full of adventures for children from 0 to 12 years, their older brothers/sisters and their parents/grandparents. Playground features, interactive installations, exciting routes: there’s plenty to do for families and school classes!

Explore the North
Secondary program
Explore the North is a winter weekend city festival overflowing with music and stories to warm you up. It uses the historical centre of Leeuwarden as a stage, where will come across music, literature, art and more as you wander through a maze of churches and alleys.

1st Conference on Frisian Humanities
Main program
A conference as a multi-course language menu that linguists and those interested in languages can happily sink their teeth into: that sounds great! A different topic will be discussed every day. The more courses, or days, the more layers!

Stimmen fan Fryslân (Voices of Friesland)
Main program
Would like to hear how various languages sound? And different varieties of Frisian? An extensive app lets you discover this and learn a lot about languages. It’s indispensable for language enthusiasts, language experts and teachers!

Liwwadders! Our present, past and future.
Main program
In Leeuwarden, the city dialect (Liwwadders) is spoken in addition to Frisian and many other languages. It is also the name of the floating pavilion in the canal at the edge of the Prinsentuin.

DNA Leeuwarden
Main program
The story of Leeuwarden? It is told by all those people who have left traces behind in the city. DNALWD2018 is collecting all those stories. Everyone who is connected in some way to Leeuwarden can contribute some of their DNA. Not real DNA, of course, but instead something connected to our city or yourself. A […]

Friezen om utens (Frisians from outside)
Main program
What is the language of the heart of Frisians who have – sometimes long ago – emigrated abroad? You can discover it on local TV, on screens in Lân fan taal and of course online.

Poetry Circle 058
Secondary program
Poetry Circle is a national platform for writing performers and performing writers. Leeuwarden has had its own Circle since 2016, with pop podium Neushoorn as its base. This is also the place where the annual national Poetry Circle Manifestation will be taking place on Saturday 7 July. Visitors can enjoy performances and shows by no […]

Liet XXL
Secondary program
Liet, a festival that includes a Frisian-language, musical talent contest, was founded in 1991. In 2002, Liet became international and offered a podium to bands in all lesser-known European languages from such regions as Lapland, Brittany and Asturias. And in 2018, Liet will become XXL!

Yiddish Waves
Secondary program
Bolleboos, gabber, mesjogge or kapsones: the Dutch language is full of Yiddish words. This is not surprising, because Yiddish culture is very much at home among other cultures. And that’s why this year, the theme of the Yiddish Waves festival is “Heymishkeyt”, Yiddish for “feeling at home”. This multicultural festival, where everyone is welcome, will […]