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5 x To do in the festival heart
Foto: Aad Hoogendoorn
The RA Month kicks off energetically in its first week with a diverse program in which the Keilekwartier demonstrates how versatile and fruitful collaboration can be. Experience everyday practice during a visit to the Food Garden or the festive Neighborhood Day at the Materials Yard. Or dive deeper during Estelle Barriol’s lecture or the exhibition at the Keilepand.
Exhibition: ‘The Power of Community’
The main exhibition of RA Month this year revolves around the theme “The Power of Community.” KeileCollectief and AIR showcase how cooperative and collective models can contribute to a sustainable and future-proof city. The exhibition demonstrates that collaboration is not a side issue, but a necessary condition for creating integrated solutions to today’s challenges.
Rotterdam serves as the case study and starting point of the exhibition, which is structured around four themes. Inspiring cooperative models from other cities are also featured.
Photo: Aad Hoogendoorn
Estelle Barriol | Foto: Charlotte Gaubert
Opening lecture by Estelle Barriol (Studio ACTE)
How can we build with reused materials, experiment with low-tech architecture, and explore what a circular city could look like? These questions are central to the lecture that opens the RA Month festival hub. Through Studio ACTE, the practice she leads together with Fanny Bordes, Estelle Barriol challenges industrial standards with the goal of transforming the construction sector.
The complex process behind designing and building the Test Site Materials Yard will serve as a reflection on how many links, experiments, and collaborations are needed to make large-scale material reuse in construction possible. Reserve your tickets now!
Update on Circular Initiatives M4H
The Municipality of Rotterdam plays an important role in the circular area development of M4H. But what exactly is the municipality’s role, and how is it being fulfilled? During this session, sustainable construction advisors Sophie and Wouter guide visitors through a selection of projects and collaborations together with inspiring guest speakers. Alongside listening and learning, there will also be room for discussion.
M4H
Voedseltuin
Tour and lunch at the Voedseltuin
Especially for residents of Oud-Mathenesse, Spangen, and Bo-Tu, the Food Garden is organizing a free guided tour and lunch in the garden. Marjolein Moeijes (director and project leader at Food Garden Rotterdam) will guide visitors through the 7,000 m² edible garden in the Keilekwartier. For the past 15 years, vegetables and herbs have been cultivated here for the Food Bank together with around 80 volunteers.
To register, send an email to marjolein@voedseltuin.com and mention that you would like to join the tour and lunch on 5 June, including the number of participants.
Comunity Day at the Materialenwerf
A festive Saturday at the Test Site Materialenwerf: the entire neighborhood is invited for music, workshops, performances, and guided tours. Children can design their own chair using reclaimed materials. Food lovers can join a workshop on fermenting vegetables. And anyone wanting to make themselves heard can participate in the open mic & jam session. Prefer a quieter experience? You can also simply join a tour and enjoy some food.
Everyone is welcome, participation is free, and no prior registration is required.
festivalhart 2025 | foto: Fred Ernst
