After the success of the first edition last year, TivoliVredenburg is back on Christmas Eve - Thursday 24 December - with the New Night Mass. Again from the Great Hall, but recorded without an audience.
Together with Utrecht theatre producer Oscar Kocken, TivoliVredenburg presents a one-and-a-half-hour programme of music, theatre, poetry and journalism. Writer Abdelkader Benali tells a topical Christmas story, Denker des Vaderlands Daan Roovers offers philosophical reflection on a turbulent year, new poetry is by poet Iduna Paalman and singer Michelle David sings music that lifts her and others' spirits in these strange times.
Comfort and connection
Especially after such a strange year as 2020, we need inspiration and new insights. How do we stay connected when we are not allowed to touch each other, how can we draw comfort from a shared experience and what lessons from 2020 do we take with us into the new year? It will all be covered. Satirist Daan Windhorst will present an alternative annual review of this confusing year and the Night Mass band led by brothers Jan and Keez Groenteman will again play songs written especially for the Night Mass.
Tessa Hagen, programmer of Knowledge and Debate at TivoliVredenburg: 'From the start of The New Night Mass last year, it was our wish to make this programme an annual tradition. For a while corona seemed to throw a spanner in the works, but thanks to the flexibility of the makers, speakers and artists as well as the crew, we recorded the Night Mass coronaproof. With extra intimate footage and beautiful atmosphere, for the Night Mass feeling at home on the couch. This is how we continue the tradition!'
Start time: 9pm
Livestream tickets €7.50
To complete the Christmas atmosphere, an exclusive Night Mass package for home can be ordered for €29, including postage. 5 euros per package will go to the Food Bank Utrecht.