Opening Cultura Nova Festival 2026

Especially for Heerlen and to mark the 35th edition of Cultura Nova, Plasticiens Volants will present a unique on-site performance.

During the 35th edition of Cultura Nova, several interesting threads from the history of South Limburg will converge. Exactly 50 years ago, the two iconic chimneys of the mining industry, ‘Lange Jan’ and ‘Lange Lies’, were demolished in Heerlen. Exactly 50 years ago, Maastricht University opened in Maastricht; this year, it is launching a new degree programme in Heerlen. Together with the residents of our region, we are also building a symbolic bridge between Heerlen-Noord and Heerlen-Zuid, and we are keen to focus on the future and on what our region does best.

On 28 August, four colourful and festive parades will set off from different directions towards the Maankwartier. Each parade will be led and protected by its own totem animal, brought to life by Plasticiens Volants. The giant tortoise Adnoa, who carries the world on his back; the dragon Hippoguanodon, a strange creature that is half animal and half plant; and the giant lizard Ouarane. These totems bear the designs created and painted by residents of both Heerlen-Noord and Heerlen-Zuid. Saurien (‘formerly known as’ Godzilla), Cultura Nova’s iconic creature, sets off from the rear of Theater Heerlen and joins them.

As night falls, all the characters come together. In a mysterious atmosphere, a large spiral mound of fabric slowly rises at the central point. From it emerges a child named YUNI. Born from the unity of the neighbourhoods, the energy of people coming together, YUNI embodies connection: between North and South, between past and future, between memory and transformation. YUNI is the figure who brings all these energies together. Through her movement, she restores colour to the world and transforms the space around her; from the chimneys, symbols of Heerlen’s industrial history, to the moon appearing above the city. Everything is gradually illuminated and filled with colour.

Everyone is welcome to join in at one of the starting points. And add a splash of colour by dressing in the colour of the route you’re taking part in. The opening performance will be broadcast live and streamed by L1TV.