It’s time for leisure. For some, it’s something to look forward to; for others, it’s a way to kill time. When the clock stops ticking and you don’t have to do anything, what do you love doing most? In 2026, the resort dives into the world of hobbies.

When does a hobby become an obsession, a community, or even political? How free are the worlds we build in our free time? When are you an amateur, and when does a hobby turn into work? What does it say about us that we often reserve our greatest dedication for our free time?

In community centers, on sports fields, at kitchen tables, or through binoculars, spaces for play, discovery, and connection emerge. Activities in which invisible layers of our society become visible: social cohesion in fan clubs and weekly game nights, craftsmanship in the endless perfecting of a technique, collective memory in collecting stamps or embroidering patterns. It is a gentle resistance against the dominance of efficiency and productivity in our society, a recognition that other things in life may well be of greater value.

In that longing, the ideas of Groningen historian Johan Huizinga and his concept of “Homo Ludens” resonate: according to him, play is not a luxury, but a fundamental part of being human and of culture. A hobby is rarely just a pastime; it is play, escape, creation, fascination, protest, identity, dedication, and connection.

This is where hobby and art meet: they offer the freedom to create a world of one’s own, complete with rules, rituals, and meaning—from shouting the same cheer in green-and-white uniforms to staying up late into the night devising a new character for your weekly “Role-Playing Game.”

We put the “uselessness” of people at center stage. When we stop producing and start playing, we find ourselves in the activities that make us most human. Not because we have to, but because we want to. Expect soccer, diamond painting, geocaching, and more in this year's program!

Referee’s whistle, drum roll—ready, set, go!

Already a fan of hobbies? Support the resort and buy the “i <3 hobbies” scarf!

Available in the online giftshop for just €25.

From 2025 to 2028, the resort will explore Dutch cultural heritage and tradition.

People meet up at the sidelines, gather to share a meal, come together to play, and unite to toast and celebrate.

Cultural heritage, or intangible heritage, serves as an important unifying force that helps people develop a sense of connection with one another.

Cultural heritage, or popular culture, belongs to all of us, but it is often placed on a pedestal as “tradition,” ignoring its dynamic nature. Every generation makes choices that change our culture, improves it, and makes it more relevant to the present day. Sometimes that means saying goodbye; sometimes it means welcoming new traditions. It is a living thing that we maintain and care for together.

Together with artists, we dive into today's popular culture. Not to preserve the past and cling to traditions, but to see what brings us together now. We look at the many places where people come together: from the local pub to the soccer club. For some, this defines their identity; for others, it is uncharted territory.