2017: The Hague Is In Style

Year 2017 promises to be a particularly good year for The Hague and is certainly the place to be. A recent report revealed that more and more events are booked to be hosted in this city, with as much as a 50-percent increase in the number of international congresses organised in 2016 compared to previous years.

Despite this growing popularity, The Hague continues to be somewhat of an insider tip among most congress organisers – an alternative location that is easy to reach, and yet with many opportunities to explore and be positively surprised.

This year, visitors to the city will be able to enjoy a very special atmosphere, as the Netherlands is celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the ‘De Stijl’ artist movement. This movement was largely influenced by the work of Piet Mondrian who is often associated The Hague. To mark this unique occasion, The Hague has been ‘mondrianised’, with the Town Hall exhibiting the famous ‘Victory Boogie-Woogie’ style on its outer walls. Mondrian can be spotted in many locations throughout the city, and there are numerous cultural initiatives - exhibitions, festivals, and lectures - planned for 2017.

Nienke van der Malen – van der Horst, the director of The Hague Convention Bureau: 2017 is a special year for The Hague. The Mondrian year is a great opportunity for the city to showcase its vibrant atmosphere and we are excited that many international delegates will have the opportunity to experience The Hague and enjoy the special occasion.

The Hague is a unique city and its fast-growing popularity with event organizers is easy to explain. The city has the diversity we would expect of a metropolis, the stature we would associate with a capital, and the vibrancy we would enjoy in a resort destination.

And while The Hague is none of these things, it is a city that has it all. The Hague hosts more than 450 multinational companies, NGOs and institutions that are all about impact and decision-making. The Hague is also home to the Dutch Government, the Dutch Parliament and the Dutch Royal family, fulfilling the role traditionally assigned to the capital. And yes, it is the only large city in the Netherlands directly at the beach.

The best part of exploring The Hague, is that it never took on the inconveniences that many top-tier destinations have to tackle – the city is compact, clean, calm and friendly – something that congress participants tend to appreciate the most. It is extremely accessible and there are plenty of opportunities for visitors to be part of the city’s lifestyle by exploring museums, bars and cafes or by attending events in one of the many culturally significant venues.

Benno Tempel, the director of Gemeentemuseum The Hague: 'It’s fantastic that The Hague is so connected to Mondrian and his contemporaries in De Stijl. In this way, the city is showing the world that it is a home to top international art – and therefore also welcoming to international culture lovers and tourists.'

The De Stijl artistic movement, which aimed to modernise society, emphasizes The Hague’s orientation towards innovation, creativity and forward-thinking. The metaphoric connotations of Mondrian’s legacy fully align with The Hague’s main objective in bringing top-class, world-changing events to the city and to make a real difference.

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