Amsterdam marks major milestones with 2013 celebrations

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Category: Amsterdam

2013 promises to be a festive year for the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. A number of the city’s most important cultural institutions are marking significant milestones and a range of special events have been planned throughout the year. Just a few of the highlights include 400 years of the Amsterdam canals, the 125th anniversary of the Concertgebouw and the reopening of the Rijksmuseum.

On 13 July, Alexander Rinnooy Kan, chairman of the Amsterdam 2013 foundation, alderwoman Carolien Gehrels and city marketing director Frans van der Avert revealed their plans for 2013.

A celebration for the whole city
After years of renovation and investment in many of the city’s cultural treasures, Amsterdam is ready for the future. The multitude of notable anniversaries and reopening of major cultural attractions presented a unique opportunity for a year-long celebration: Amsterdam 2013.
The Amsterdam 2013 celebrations will encourage residents to rediscover their hometown, redefine visitors’ perceptions of the city, and demonstrate the unique advantages of doing business in Amsterdam. Amsterdam 2013 will also strengthen the collaboration between cultural, public and private institutions within the greater Amsterdam area.

In collaboration with the Amsterdam 2013 foundation, Amsterdam Marketing is responsible for implementing the extended programme and related marketing activities. The City of Amsterdam has provided a subsidy of 3.6 million euros to support this event. Additional resources are being contributed by Amsterdam Marketing as well as by corporate partners like KLM, Luxury Hotel Group, JCDecaux, CBS Outdoor and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Cultural highlights in 2013
Next year marks a number of significant milestones for the city of Amsterdam. Some of the highlights include 400 years of the Canal Ring, the 125th anniversary of the Concertgebouw and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, 175 years of Artis Zoo, the centenary of the Frans Hals Museum and 225 years of Felix Meritis. In 2013, both the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum will reopen to the public. Netherlands-Russia 2013 will celebrate the centuries-long cultural and commercial relationship between the two countries. In addition, the Netherlands will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.
New initiatives and events

With the city’s 400-year-old canals as a backdrop, Amsterdam Marketing has developed a supplementary programme of new initiatives for Amsterdam 2013. In addition to festive opening and closing events, a number of new activities will be introduced, including 24H Amsterdam, Chambres des Canaux and live streaming of concerts.

During Amsterdam 24H, local businesses and organisations are encouraged to open their doors to the public from 12:00 on Saturday to 12:00 on Sunday. Demonstrating the city’s commercial spirit and creativity, visitors will discover corporate collections, private societies and innovative ideas. Restaurants will serve special 24-hour menus.

Renowned institutions like the Concertgebouw and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will reach new audiences with live broadcasts of their concerts on large screens in public areas. The Amsterdam 2013 foundation has selected a number of festive concerts that can be enjoyed by anyone in the city.

The Chambres des Canaux connects the past, future and modern day with an impressive art exhibition along Amsterdam’s canals. Inspired by Chambres d’Amis (Ghent, Belgium), several contemporary artists will present their work in extraordinary canal houses.

For additional information about Amsterdam 2013 and the related activities, please visit www.iamsterdam.com/2013.