Roel Funcken leaves as director-director Delft Fringe Festival

"Full of confidence, I make way for new energy"

Delft, Wednesday, 21 May - On the eve of the fourteenth edition of the Delft Fringe Festival, festival director Roel Funcken (37) announces that he is handing over his position after this edition. Under his inspiring leadership and vision, the Delft Fringe Festival grew over the past twelve years from a local amateur theatre festival into the place to present new makers in the performing arts. Now that the Delft Fringe Festival has received long-term support from Fonds Podiumkunsten and the Municipality of Delft for the period 2025-2028, Roel sees his task as completed.

Giving opportunities

"It is with immense gratitude that I look back on the past 12 years. Together with a team of enthusiastic colleagues, we have connected a new generation of performing artists with residents and visitors of Delft. I myself was offered the chance to become festival director at the age of 24 and since then 'giving opportunities' has been central to my work. Opportunities for new makers, but also for the public and my colleagues. Based on my conviction that, as a festival organisation, you cannot do without cooperation partners, we have in recent years sought cooperation with (the municipality of) Delft and numerous cultural and social organisations. In this way, we managed to further increase the impact of our activities in recent years. Delft Fringe Festival is well established and on the map, something I am very proud of. Full of confidence, I am making way for new energy."

An inspired connector

Corné Ran, chairman of the Supervisory Board: "Roel was the driving force, the visionary brain and the inspired connector behind the Delft Fringe Festival. Under his leadership, the festival grew into a leading platform of new makers and innovative performing arts, with Delft becoming not only the setting, but also the beating heart. His ability to recognise and grow talent extended not only to the new makers on stage, but also to the many staff behind the scenes. He leaves behind a solid foundation on which to build further. His infectious enthusiasm and tireless energy have permanently enriched the Delft Fringe Festival - our sincere thanks for that."

Follow-up

Roel Funcken will stay on until the end of 2025 and, together with artistic director Tamara Griffioen, will still take care of the development and implementation of the planned activities. The Supervisory Board will search for a suitable successor after the festival and invites interested parties to visit the festival from 27 May to 8 June 2025 in particular.