Take part in creating a unique, life-sized cardboard building to be constructed on the Vrijthof square. Register now for The Groete Bouw.

Along with pupils, community groups and residents, a historic Maastricht building, the former Cité Ouvrière, popularly known as Groete Bouw, will be brought to life again temporarily. It will involve no machines or cranes; simply cardboard, tape and the power of collaboration. This art project is a collaboration between Bonnefanten and the French artist Olivier Grossetête. He is internationally renowned for his works Construction Monumental en Carto. The end result structure will be constructed on Saturday 12 September on the Vrijthof Square, in Maastricht, and spectacularly dismantled on Sunday 13 September, and forms part of the City Parade/ Stadsparade of the Maastricht Year celebrations/ Maastrichtjaar.

Social and historical context

The project is linked to the industrial past of Maastricht and forms part of a wider cultural historical programme for the Maastricht Year celebrations.The Cité Ouvrière building has been the subject of much discussion. It was a 19th-century tenement for workers at the Sphinx factory. The project is therefore not just about art, but also about heritage and storytelling.

Making art together

Participants work in workshops on separate cardboard components of the building, such as arches, windows and roofs. The work is low-threshold, so that everybody can take part. By participating, people become art makers themselves. They build, experience and take part in a large-scale public installation in the heart of the city.

How can you participate?
Workshops in the Bonnefanten

Monday 7 to Friday 11 September 2026

On location at the Bonnefanten, you will work on the monument for one or more 3.5 hour periods, under the guidance of an artistic team. The construction teams consist of 35 volunteers per period, who may be individuals, members of various associations, institutions and schools. This also allows you to get to know other Maastricht residents in a relaxed setting.

A connecting community project

The project will bring together schools, associations, cultural institutions and residents. The work in the workshop is low-threshold and accessible, so that everybody aged 15 and up can take part in the free workshops!

How can you participate?

We are looking for individuals, schools and associations who would like to spend one or more periods working on this unique project. Register before 1 August for one or more periods via the button below.
If you want to help on multiple time slots, please fill out a separate form for each one.
*Groups can consist of a maximum of 35 people per period.

The Groete Bouw Day - Saturday 12 september 2026

The monument will be constructed together on the Vrijthof Square. In an exciting experience, all the volunteers who have worked on the project throughout the week come together and assemble the separate components to form an impressive end result on location. Participation is on a drop-in basis. No registration is required.

The City Parade - Sunday 13 September 2026

The building plays a central role during the City Parade as part of the Maastricht Year. Surrounded by dance and music, the structure becomes part of one of the 13 narrative performances taking place that day. The eventual dismantling of the structure by the audience is also part of this. Participation is on a drop-in basis. No registration is required.

Questions or information about The Groete Bouw? Send an e-mail to: contextprogramma@bonnefanten.nl

Maastricht Year 2026 – Shaped by the past, connected in the present

2026 is Maastricht Year: a city-wide programme in which Maastricht’s rich history is brought back to life. Through performances, celebrations and a grand city parade, historical stories will be rediscovered and celebrated, for and by all the people of Maastricht.

Eight major events spread across the city, complemented by smaller activities throughout the year. Organised by a broad network of cultural and community organisations, and open to everyone free of charge. This project is one of them. By looking back together, we discover what connects us today.

For the full programme, visit www.maastrichtjaar.nl

Header: Olivier Grossetête, project International Figure Theatrefestival, 2023, Germany