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Logo of the municipality of Heerlen
Logo of the municipality of Heerlen

Heritage Year

Heritage Year 2025

The Year of Heerlen Heritage is halfway through. In the first six months, the counter has ticked 80 projects, and this number will undoubtedly double before the year is over. In this theme year, Heerlen's heritage from Roman times, the Middle Ages, the mining past and the transition years will be (re)experienced.

Activities in June

On Saturday, June 14, downtown Heerlen vibrated to its foundations during the Giant Festival in honor of the marriage of city giants Lucius and Amaka. Behind the Pancratius Church where the wedding took place, medieval life went on as usual. Craftsmen allowed visitors to see, hear and taste medieval Heerlen. In short: a heritage (year) weekend to remember. June also brings the street parade and tattoo of Edelweiss, the Day of the Composer and the Amaka Festival. 

Future activities  

Below is a current overview of events and activities that shape the Year of Heerlen Heritage. Making the past visible and experienceable in the present is the common thread running through the program. This page is updated weekly. So check back regularly for the list of activities. 

View the program ↓

The Heritage Year program

  • Photo exhibition: My Tattoo (location: Heerlen-Centrum)

    Date:   to

    Location:
    Stationsplein, Heerlen-Centrum

    For the Year of Heerlen Heritage, photographer Wouter Zaalberg and lyricist Leonie Kohl have put together a special open-air exhibition. In My Tattoo, individuals who have a deep connection to Heerlen's mining past are portrayed.

    Exposition

  • Neighborhood Night Edelweiss

    Date:  

    Time:   -

    Location:
    Heksenberg Community House

    A special neighborhood evening organized by Edelweiss and PANDA, at the association building in Heksenberg, bringing together culture, history and music.

    Music

  • City Walk Heerlen Center (Saturday, June 21)

    Date:  

    Time:   -

    Location:
    Starting point: Pancratius Square 45

    This route through the city will tell the fascinating stories behind the city, show you remarkable changes and share little secrets. At the end of this walk, you will undoubtedly look at Heerlen in a completely different way.

    Walk
To the total program overview

Articles

Grant application 

Do you have ideas that fit the Heritage Year? If so, you may be able to get a grant. Let us know what your idea is. Every Heerlen resident can participate. You can organize something on your own or together with an association, neighborhood organization, school or company.

Grant application

What is heritage and why is it important?

Heritage is often described as our legacy of the past, by which we live in the present. We pass this legacy on to future generations so that they too can learn from it, admire it and enjoy it. Heritage, then, is something you inherit. It contributes to your identity and connects the community. It tells something about where we come from, who we are, and how we develop. 

There is intangible heritage and tangible heritage. What is the difference?

  • Intangible heritage is heritage that cannot be touched, for example, traditions, stories, songs, rituals, languages and knowledge about ancient trades and crafts.
  • Material heritage can be touched, such as buildings, works of art and collections. Material heritage is again divided into two groups, these are movable heritage and immovable heritage. Movable heritage is movable and immovable heritage is not.

Examples of heritage include:

  • Roman bathhouse is the oldest stone building in the Netherlands
  • Developments and construction projects in Heerlen for growth and diversity of the city
  • Traditions, music and dance

What kind of initiative can I suggest?

Come up with a good idea that focuses on Heerlen's heritage and connects to the themes: Romans, Knights and Robbers, Mine Age, the Transition Years and the Future.

We call on you to spotlight your version of Heerlen. Think of family stories and anecdotes, a piece of music or your opinion about our Heritage in a debate. But also, for example, an event. Think of a dance battle in the former mine shaft, a story contest, a gabber party in the Royal or a historical walk in your neighborhood. Above all, let your creativity speak!  

Which cultural and heritage institutions are participating?

In SCHUNCK, Parkstad Limburg Theater, De Nieuwe Nor, Kasteel Hoensbroek, the Roman Museum, the Dutch Mining Museum, Filmhuis De Spiegel and the Cultuurhuis Heerlen, the story of Heerlen in 2025 comes to life. But also during our events such as the Week of Amateur Arts, Cultura Nova, Booch! and, for example, Schrit_tmacher. And educational programs for schools are also coming. These will follow around September.

Can I get a grant for an activity?

Yes, you can. There are two options. Grant for: 

  • an activity up to 1000 euros 
  • an activity between 1,000 and 5,000 euros. 

View application information.