LEIDEN 400

2020 marked the 400th anniversary of the journey of the Mayflower, a ship that transported a group of English separatists known as the ‘Pilgrims’. Before the Pilgrims set sail to America and founded Plymouth Colony in 1620, they spent twelve years living, working and praying in Leiden, free from religious persecution by the English crown. 

Partners in the US, UK, The Netherlands and the Wampanoag Nation spent five years preparing a ‘Four Nation Commemoration’, consisting of an international arts & culture programme, educational and academic exchanges, heritage tourism projects and developing long-term international relations between institutions and communities.

For the City of Leiden, the reason to join this commemoration was threefold. It was a unique commemoration because it tied the local Leiden history to a world-famous story. It was an urgent commemoration because for the first time, there was commitment to highlight the devastating consequences on the indigenous people of America and ‘de-romanticise the story’. And it was a relevant commemoration dealing with themes that still impact our communities in the here and now: migration, freedom, tolerance and oppression.

As executive director, I was responsible for the overall development of the mission and programme, fundraising and partner relations, and representation of the City of Leiden on all international platforms. It has been one of the most challenging projects I have ever developed, considering the political nature of the subject, the sheer number of projects and partners (over a hundred) and the commemorative year taking place during a global pandemic. It reinforced my conviction that projects can only be successful when built on broad alliances, shared ownership and a vision which is long-term and sustainable.