Schiedam Illuminated*

*Light projections on Schiedam’s buildings telling stories of the past.

15 t/m 18 December 2022, 7 - 10 PM

From 15 to 18 December, we will be illuminating the city during the dark days of winter. Between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., unique works of light art will be projected on six of the city’s historical buildings, each inspired by a story about Schiedam’s past. The story of the great fire of 1985 will be retold on the building that is now home to the Nationaal Jenevermuseum (National Gin Museum), and you will even learn more about cricket, which happens to be a very popular sport in Schiedam. The light projections were created by the artist collective LiGHT-UP Collective, led by Jan Willem Campmans, and artists Mirjan Debets, Aldo Hoeben, Tristan Gieler and Stefan Venbroek. Schiedam Illuminated is free of charge and is part of a wider programme of activities being organised throughout the city in the run-up to Christmas.

Historical stories in lights, with an artistic twist
‘Stedelijk Museum Schiedam is a museum for both art and history’, says director Anne de Haij. ‘So we asked artists to depict historical stories about Schiedam in works of light art, which we will be projecting on prominent, iconic buildings across the city. It promises to be a beautiful combination of art and history.’ Among other things, you will learn more about weddings that took place in the City Hall on the Grote Markt. At the Korenbeurs (corn exchange), Schiedam artist Aldo Hoeben will be giving a tour of well-known and lesser-known areas of Schiedam, on the façade of the Jenevermuseum you will learn all about the great fire that once raged there, and at De Walvisch windmill museum you will discover all about whaling.

Walking route
Taken together, the light projections form a walking route through the historic city centre. The starting point and heart of this route is the square in front of the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam. Here you will also be able to collect a map and draw on the side of the museum using light. You will then follow the route to the Grote Markt, via the Nationaal Jenevermuseum, De Walvisch windmill museum, Restauratie Werkplaats and the Korenbeurs. The entire route takes one to one and a half hours to complete.

Tours
You can walk the route alone or with children, friends and neighbours. But it is also possible to book a tour for small groups. This is a great opportunity to walk the route with a guide. They will tell you more about the history behind the light projections and talk about the artists’ work. Free guided tours are available every evening, starting at 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. (please register in advance).

Practical information

  • Schiedam Illuminated, a light exhibition retelling stories from the city’s past and present, from 15 to 18 December 2022 (7 p.m. – 10 p.m.), free admission.
  • Guided tours start at 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. To book a place on a tour, send an e-mail to rsvp@stedelijkmuseumschiedam.nl, stating Schiedam Illuminated in the subject. Don’t forget to mention the day on which you want to join a tour, the start time and the number of people in your group.
  • Six locations: Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, the Nationaal Jenevermuseum, De Walvisch windmill museum, Restauratie Werkplaats, the Korenbeurs and the Grote Markt.
  • If you keep walking, it will take you about an hour to complete the route. If you stop to take a closer look at each of the installations, it will take about 1.5 hours.

What else is happening in the city?
In the dark days before Christmas, several Schiedam initiatives are joining forces to light up the city, create a sense of togetherness and organise fun activities, including the Winterlicht light art festival (15-17 December) in Julianapark and the Dickens Festival (17-18 December) on the Grote Markt and Lange Kerkstraat and in the Grote Kerk. During the S’DAM in het licht campaign, which starts on 15 December, Schiedam Partners is putting a spotlight on indispensable residents of Schiedam who have made a valuable contribution to the city over the past year. Follow S’DAM in het licht on Facebook and Instagram (@uitinsdam) and on the website www.sdam.nl/sdam-in-het-licht.

Collaboration
The preparations for Schiedam Illuminated actually got underway back in 2021. However, the coronavirus restrictions meant that the light exhibition could not go ahead. But now, the time has finally come! For Schiedam Illuminated the museum is collaborating with, among others, Schiedam Library, the Nationaal Jenevermuseum, De Walvisch windmill museum and the municipality of Schiedam.

With thanks to the municipality of Schiedam, the Mondriaan Fund and the sports associations Excelsior ‘20 and Hermes DVS.