Next year, the city of Eindhoven’s celebrates its centenary anniversary. And the Municipality has great plans.
It has been almost 100 years since the villages of Eindhoven, Gestel, Stratum, Woensel, Strijp, and Tongelre amalgamated to form the present-day Eindhoven. Since then, Eindhoven has been growing rapidly and continues to do so. Of all the Dutch cities that have more than 200,000 inhabitants, Eindhoven has expanded the fastest.
According to Eindhoven’s Mayor, John Jorritsma, the city’s centenary is something to truly celebrate. “This single municipality was formed as a result of Philips’ growth spurt. A hundred years ago, it needed a lot of workforce and space. A united city could offer that.”
Large and small at the same time
“Now, 100 years later, Eindhoven has a strong domestic and international presence. The villages that made up Eindhoven as a whole have, however, kept their individual identities. We are, therefore, simultaneously, a small-scale and international player.”
“Philips is on its way to becoming the largest company in the world. Philips is still a major household name. It, has, however, expanded into the areas of knowledge, technology, and design,” says Jorritsma in a press release issued by the City Council.
The Municipality of Eindhoven will kick off the anniversary year on 6 January with the Kick-Off 1920-2020. This event takes place in DOMUSDELA/Mariënhage. It replaces two other events – the traditional New Year’s concert in the Muziekgebouw and the municipal New Year’s reception in the City Hall. It will be a low-key cultural meeting aimed at all inhabitants of the city.
In 2020, the City Council wants to focus on promoting social togetherness and solidarity. It is, therefore, wants to partner with Eindhoven’s social and cultural institutions. They are calling on all these kinds of associations, groups, and even individuals to organise initiatives that celebrate the city’s solidarity.
‘Honour, celebrate, create’
This, under the banner, ‘Eer gisteren – Vier vandaag – Maak morgen’ (‘Honour the past – celebrate the present – create the future). People can go to eindhoven1920-2020.nl for more information. There are already several events posted, for example, the Gennerper Parken Lopen, on 5 January.
Other events include “A Night On The Town” in the Muziekgebouw. This gala concert by the Royal Harmonico Phileutonia. The villages and the city are portrayed through music, hip hop, images, photos, and films.
The PSV supporters’ association and the Eindhoven Centre for Art and Culture – better known as the CKE – also celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2020. The Marathon Eindhoven wants to organise a Ringloop, where participants start and finish at their own district.
Trees as a live celebration
The Municipality is also planning to plant a large number of tilia, or linden, trees in every district. The trees are intended as tangible reminders of the Eindhoven’s 100th anniversary. The City Council is looking at how these specially-pruned trees can be planted at six ‘central and historically important locations’.
“These trees, planted in a central place, will be of symbolic value,” says an Eindhoven civil servant. “In the past, these were places of, for example, wedding ceremonies and birth celebrations. Places where people gathered. At the same time, this project contributes to the further greening of the city.”
Sources: Eindhoven City Council and Studio040
Translator: Melinda Walraven
