During Bonnefanten Free Fridays (#BFF), we open the doors for a free evening at the museum. With and for you.

Bonnefanten Free Friday: Friday June 6th

Date: Friday, June 6th
Time: 20:00 - 23:00
Entrance: free

A sparkling evening full of art, encounters, and new experiences

On Friday June 6, Bonnefanten will host Bonnefanten Free Friday: a sparkling evening full of art, encounters, and new experiences – free and open to all. We celebrate the opening of the exhibition by Mounira Al Solh, with a rich evening program that explores her work from multiple perspectives.

Music filling the halls – Conservatory students & the sounds of the oud

Students from the Conservatorium Maastricht were inspired by their encounter with Al Solh. Throughout the evening, they will perform specially composed musical pieces across the museum. Central to these compositions is the oud – a traditional, pear-shaped string instrument from the Middle East.

Spoken word with WOOM: powerful female voices

Among the artworks, you’ll also hear the voices of spoken word collective WOOM, led by Farida Zaouad. In this women’s only performance, the artists respond to Al Solh’s themes with personal and moving texts.

Poetry workshop with Rahman Qul – words for those finding their voice

You can also take part in a poetry workshop by emerging writer Rahman Qul, where you'll collectively explore the voices of refugees, asylum seekers, and those who feel uprooted or without a place to call home.

Dabke! Dance togetherness with Watan Dabke

For those who feel like moving, the Brussels-based collective Watan Dabke offers a workshop in Dabke, a traditional group dance characterized by rhythm, unity, and community spirit.

Fragrant rituals: Moroccan tea ceremony as a moment of connection

More tranquil, but equally meaningful, is the Moroccan tea ceremony, where fragrant tea is poured with graceful gestures in a shared moment of hospitality.

Needle, thread, and story – embroidery with meaning

In a creative embroidery and textile workshop inspired by Al Solh’s work, you can create your own piece using needle and thread. You’re also invited to craft a personal memory object which – if you wish – can become part of the exhibition.

A cinematic look at fleeing – graduation film by Stefan Kukolenko

The evening also features the graduation film of student Stefan Kukolenko. In this moving and intimate documentary, he explores the impact of war on young people who are forced to flee and rebuild their lives elsewhere.

Speed-date with a worldview – Stichting Wereldwijd connects

Stichting Wereldwijd organizes speed-dates where visitors engage in dialogue with participants from their programs. Through exchanging personal stories, there's space to challenge mutual preconceptions.

Empathy exercise: what do you take with you when you have to flee?

They also present the empathy exerciseThe Art of Leaving Behind, in which you face an emergency and must decide which objects to take – and which to leave. What do you leave behind when you suddenly have to flee?

A taste of hospitality – Palestinian and Syrian snacks from Open je hart

You’re also welcome to enjoy Palestinian and Syrian snacks prepared by the Open je hart foundation from Genk.

Quick art flashes – speed tours in three languages

Speed tours are offered through the museum in Dutch, English, and Arabic (Darija), for those who want to be guided through the stories behind the artworks.

During Bonnefanten Free Fridays, all current exhibitions are free to visit.

What are the Bonnefanten Free Fridays?

A free evening at the museum. With and for you.

Museums are the treasures of society in which past and present come together. They are the memory of the city, region and country and offer new windows to the world or enlarge the existing perspectives. Especially in this time, where everything revolves around experiencing and experiencing yourself, museums are perhaps more important than ever. They are places for reflection, wonder and astonishment, all emotions that give museums an intrinsic value. This must of course be accessible to everyone. With #BFF we hope to give more people that accessibility.

During Bonnefanten Free Fridays (#BFF), we open the doors for a free evening in the museum. Each edition, we invite a surprising association, club, foundation or sub-culture to organise a unique programme together. As a starting point for the programme, we take the collections of ancient and contemporary art or the temporary exhibitions currently on show in the museum. The programming consists of various activities, which challenge the visitor to change from spectator to participant or even co-creator.

Made possible by Provincie Limburg, VriendenLoterij and Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap.