Welcome to Kumpulan 2.0!
On Friday, September 6, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., experience Kumpulan 2.0: a warm, intimate celebration of Indonesian roots and connections centered around Rebel Rebel and Merz in Dordrecht. Enjoy authentic food—from vegan dishes to rendang—acoustic performances, creative activities, and workshops like Potjo Potjo. It’s not a Pasar Malam, but a contemporary gathering where generations come together, memories are shared, and new stories are born. The venue has been tastefully decorated by designer Patricia Blom, who brings the past to life with Indonesian elements. Kumpulan means “gathering”—exactly what this event aims to be: a tribute to the Indische community and an open invitation to everyone to taste, listen, watch, and connect. Whether you have Indische roots or are simply curious, you’re more than welcome.
The Voorstraat Noord Festival Is a Long-Standing Tradition
An extensive program featuring music and cabaret on various stages: that’s what you can expect at the Voorstraat Noord Festival. From a DJ to a poetry reading. A nice bonus is that the event is still free and has a genuine urban vibe. “Our fellow Dordrecht residents enjoy watching their fellow citizens perform on stage, whether they’re longtime fans or first-time visitors,” says Sylvia Landa. “The festival is just as big as previous editions. For example, there’s a stage featuring local DJs, and the silent disco on the Nieuwbrug is still a huge hit.” The seventeenth edition has become a true tradition and is here to stay—for die-hard music and culture lovers, but also for people who just want to grab a seat on a patio while enjoying some music!
A special puppet show for young and old
At the International Micro Festival, you’ll see all kinds of puppet shows in a short period of time. In this 10th edition, you’ll witness objects moving in extraordinary ways. The companies come not only from the Netherlands, but also from Canada, France, Italy/Australia, and Taiwan/the U.S., among other places. A truly international event, just as the name suggests! The performance by the Canadian company at De Oude School is particularly special. This tiny table-top puppet show is performed for a camera on stage using everyday objects. Join the tour for adults, or opt for the family tour. Whichever you choose, you’ll find the festival to be an intimate experience. You’ll visit all kinds of private spaces, such as living rooms, and you’ll also be seated right in front of the performances so you can see everything clearly.
Celebrating the City's Preparedness for Flooding
The Festival Voor de Vloed celebrates how we, the people of Dordrecht, prepare for high water, but also how we’ve come to appreciate the water around us more and more. All kinds of activities are taking place, such as an adventurous attic tour on September 20 where you can take shelter from the high water, and the big flood barrier test on September 22. That same week, there’s an educational program for children at the Hof, as well as city walks and dike inspections, a bike route, boat tours with the Schippersgilde, and artists creating installations throughout the city. On September 27, the entire city center will be dedicated to the festival, featuring street theater, the Vloedcamp, and more activities at the Hof, a parade, an evening program with theater, and the final preparations for storm season—which begins on October 1!
Photo: Evy Hachmang
Wrap up your summer at the Biesboschhal
Dordrecht comes together for four days during the festival at the Biesboschhal: the student event DS Festival on September 25, the Uitstelgedragfestival on September 26 with plenty of music—organized by Bibelot—and on Saturday, September 27, Geheime Deuntjes, where you can dance and chill out. We’ll wrap things up on September 28 with the Schuim Beer Festival, which is family-friendly too! For the third year in a row, the Biesboschhal is the place to be, featuring big-name artists, but above all, fun and get-togethers with friends and acquaintances. Whether you’re a student, love hard-hitting beats, or prefer to relax with a drink on the terrace: there’s something for everyone!
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