Emiliano Alessi (ES) wins STRTPRIJS 2026!

Following a successful weekend featuring dozens of performances in Arnhem city centre by artists from across Europe, it was time to take stock on Sunday evening at the Stadskeuken.
Hundreds of votes were cast again on 22 and 23 August. The STRTPRIJS 2026 has two clear winners! The top prize of €1,000 was presented after the closing dinner.

Duo Silas came second with their show *Silastition*. “Good story, thrilling act – I didn’t dare watch at times”, “A brilliant show! Impressive and full of amazing stunts!”, “Fun and accessible for young and old”, “Their show is fun for all ages – funny, interactive and skilful!”

The winner of the STRTPRIJS is Emiliano Alessi with TEI TEI!
‘Genuine street theatre that really engages the audience’, ‘The way he captivated the audience, young and old, without saying a single word… just fantastic!’, “It’s fantastic how Cia. Emiliano Alessi manages to create such a hilarious show using his facial expressions, movements, the audience and, last but not least, tape(!)”, “Very funny – he only needs tape and music to put on a great show”

We’d like to thank the Arnhem audience. See you next year!

STRTFSTVL Arnhem 2026

The fourth edition of STRTFSTVL Arnhem will take place on 22 and 23 August 2026. Alongside regular (un)conventional theatre in Arnhem city centre, we are giving a number of street theatre groups the opportunity to present their new street theatre performances under the name STRTPRIJS 2026. We have a lovely, varied programme. During STRTFSTVL Arnhem, you can enjoy performances by DeJong&Dewitte (Stadskameleons), Compagnie Krak (Bankcontact), Superbammer (HEADcase), Zwermers (Catwalk Continuüm), Danstheater Aard, Duo Silas, Cia. Emiliano Alessi, Compagnie Fô-Pá, Kim Doeleman & Mayke van Veldhuizen, Kamee Frieling (Tegen de muur) and more. Will you be coming to Arnhem too? .

Open-air theatre included in the Dutch Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory

Outdoor theatre has been officially included in the Dutch Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory. This means that this vibrant and constantly evolving theatre tradition has received national recognition as cultural heritage of great value to Dutch society.
Festivals, creators and organisations within the Dutch outdoor theatre sector have reacted with pride to this recognition of an art form that has been bringing people together in public spaces for decades. They are united in the VBFN (Association of Outdoor Theatre Festivals in the Netherlands) and the BB (Outdoor Theatre Interest Group).
Intangible heritage revolves around living culture: traditions, customs, crafts and forms of expression that connect communities and are passed on to new generations. In the Netherlands, this inventory is coordinated by the Dutch Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre, within the framework of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
UNESCO emphasises worldwide the importance of protecting not only buildings and monuments, but also living cultural practices. The inclusion of outdoor theatre underscores the social, artistic and unifying significance of this form of theatre.
Outdoor theatre in the Netherlands has a rich history of festivals, site-specific theatre, street theatre and large-scale open-air productions. A defining feature is the direct connection with the audience and the surroundings: performances take place in squares, parks, on dykes, factory sites, meadows and other unique locations outside the walls of traditional theatres.
It is precisely this accessibility that makes outdoor theatre unique. People meet in public spaces, often unexpectedly and in an accessible way. Wonder, imagination and collective experience are central to this.
“This recognition is a significant mark of appreciation for everyone who makes outdoor theatre possible,” say the VBFN and the BB. “For creators, festivals, volunteers, technicians and the public, this confirms that outdoor theatre forms an essential part of the cultural landscape of the Netherlands.”

STRTFSTVL Showcase Gids 2026

STRTFSTVL SHOWCASE is presented this year in the form of a fine guide. Eleven years ago we organised the first edition of STRTFSTVL SHOWCASE in The Hague We then settled in De Fabrique until 2020, and from 2023 to 2025 Ulft became our new home. We will see each other next year at a new location. Until then, artists and organizers will meet here, in the richly filled pages of the STRTFSTVL Showcase gids. We are looking forward to seeing you live again next year, on the stage and, of course, at the fair.
Download the guide.

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All STRTFSTVL artists of 2025 in one overview

This year, we had a successful festival in the center of Arnhem in August.
Have a look at the STRTFSTVL Arnhem 2025 aftermovie!

All the artists who performed in Arnhem, as well as those who were presented at the Showcase in February, are now listed on our website.
Check them out in the archives and enjoy them again.

Surprise Effect (F) wins STRTPRIJS 2025!

After a successful weekend with dozens of performances in Arnhem city center by artists from all over Europe, it was time to wrap things up on Sunday evening at restaurant Flor Fina on the Korenmarkt.
More than 500 votes were cast on August 16 and 17. The STRTPRIJS 2025 has three clear winners! The prizes of € 625, € 1,250, and € 2,500 were presented by Ella from Flor Fina on behalf of sponsor Korenkwartier prior to the closing dinner for artists and various guests.

Monsieur & Die Dame am Klavier came in third place: "Facial expressions and piano accompaniment without words, yet very captivating. Nice interaction with the audience.
'I've never seen such a good performance. And the pantomime gestures were so good too. The piano playing was also very accurate, tailored, and beautiful. Thank you for that.'
Great show with humor and good music. It's like you're playing along in a silent movie.
'I haven't laughed so much in years. The lady always adapted the music to each situation.'
Second place went to Rangpang Circus with its new show ‘The Smallest Show On Earth’:
'Because as a child I always dreamed of being able to play such a “role”!
'I find it accessible, charming, funny, and moving circus theater.'
'This man is very good. He masters all the elements of an artist, but above all, his dynamic interaction with the audience and his humor are unparalleled.'
First prize went to Surprise Effect. This French trio had the audience on their feet and stole the show on Saturday and Sunday with their energetic, sympathetic, compelling, and spectacular mix of acrobatics and street dance.
'A truly amazing performance, fun interaction with the audience, beautiful message, and very impressive what they could all do.
‘Dance, fun interaction with the audience, humor ’
Fantastic in all areas!'
‘Just a top show and perfect interaction with the audience. Connecting People ’
'Sporty, spectacular, and good vibe'
We would like to thank the Arnhem audience. See you next year!