There’s so much to do in Groningen that you really need a guide to help you uncover the city’s hidden gems. UKrant’s student editors share their cultural agenda with you. What’s their favourite venue and which events are absolutely not to be missed?
All my life I have walked past the colourful, unusually shaped building of the Groninger Museum, but I had never been inside. But as someone who describes herself as a ‘museum lover’ since acquiring a Museum Pass a few months ago, I couldn’t keep snubbing the most famous museum in my own city. The current exhibition How Van Gogh came to Groningen seemed the perfect opportunity for a visit.
A short history lesson: did you know that the first Van Gogh exhibition at the Groninger Museum was created by a group of students in 1896? With 128 paintings, it was the largest Van Gogh exhibition at the time. The Groningers loved it and came in large numbers. So it was partly because of our Groningen student ancestors that Vincent van Gogh became so big. What a people, huh?
It was partly because of our Groningen student ancestors that Vincent van Gogh became so big
All that painting viewing and reading information signs makes you hungry. Luckily, you can have a nice chat in the museum café (or take stock of all the newly gathered knowledge and inspiration) with a delicious slice of Van Gogh cake or something else tasty to go with it.
Although I still had to pay 5 euros in admission despite my museum card, I was pleasantly surprised by the museum. It was larger and more extensive than I had expected, and also nice and quiet: no hordes of people jostling for a painting.
I just wouldn’t wait too long to visit. Last time I went to a museum, half its collection was stolen the day after and Romania got very angry. So just in case…
Groninger Museum
Price: regular tickets €21.50, students €10
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How Van Gogh came to Groningen will be on display until 1 May.
Where you’ll find me the coming weeks:
Wolter Wolthers | VIP Valentine’s Party
When: 6 February from 9pm
Price: €2.50 for members, €3.60 for non-members
By now, the shops are already full of heart-shaped chocolates and stuffed bears with ‘I love you’ on them. If, like me, you are not quite in the mood yet, the Valentine’s Party at VIP, the psychology students’ association, might help.
Upon entering, you’ll get a card with the aim of finding the person who has the same card. Successful? Then you can get to know each other over shots. Don’t worry: you don’t have to be looking for the love of your life. You are also welcome if you just feel like getting to know new people.
Van der Velde bookshop
When: Tue-Sat from 9.30 a.m., Sun-Mon from 12 noon
Price: free (maybe buy a coffee, though)
One of my favourite ‘I need to study but not mega hard’ spots is Van der Velde bookshop at the Akerkhof. Here they have a few hidden corners where you can sit (in my case while enjoying a cinnamon roll and a cappuccino). Time for a study break? Play one of the board games or warm up by the fireplace (with a book, of course). You won’t see me in many other places in the coming winter months.
USVA | Sleepover Discussions: What is Love?
When: 13 February, 8.30 p.m.
Price: students €5, others €8
Are you, like me, not into dating, but do you love a good conversation? Or are you looking for some deeper conversation material for your date? Then the USVA Sleepover Discussion is the ideal place. Bring your blanket and pillow to create that old-fashioned sleepover feeling and start talking about what love means to you. Again, it doesn’t necessarily have to be about romance, we can also talk about the love you have for your friends or rabbit.
Artsy Avenue | Paint your pottery
When: Tue-Sat 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (9 on Thursday), Sun noon to 6 p.m.
Price: €12.50 p.p., excluding cost of pottery
Having a nice cup of tea with friends and doing something creative at the same time? Then Artsy Avenue is the perfect place. The concept is simple: pick something made of pottery, grab a brush and paint it. A few weeks later, your creation will be baked in the oven and ready to use. So round up some friends and get to work!
Forum Groningen | Library
When: Mon-Sat 9 a.m. to midnight, Sun 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Price: free
Whenever I want to escape from study stress, deadlines and exams, I look for a place where it is quiet – but not so quiet that I am alone with my thoughts – and where I can slip into another world for a while. The library in the Forum meets these requirements exactly, with plenty of seats and more than enough books to choose from. After an hour there, I feel totally zen again. And we can all use that, can’t we?