Joshka works as a marketer for club nights and is also active as a DJ. Her life revolves around electronic music and the nightlife.

“My favourite is Rave-L. It’s no surprise that I chose this performance. I’m really curious to see how this piece bridges classical and contemporary music styles.”

With his own company, Mees creates physical music performances. He also enjoys mountain hiking and cooking, with a big passion for fermenting. His guilty pleasures? Tearjerkers and cheap reggaeton.

“My favourite is A Possibility. I’m drawn to this performance because of its sensory aspects. I believe in the power of sound and image, and how they can move us without narrative or explanation. I’m curious to see how we’ll be fully immersed in sound, image, and light here.”

Soufiane made a name for himself with solo performances such as Moroccans Don’t Cry and Volgens mij ben ik een Jood, and became widely known for his roles in Mocro Maffia and iHostage.

“My favourite is When I Saw The Sea. I’m really looking forward to this because it’s a performance by and about women of colour. They share their own pain and that of others, bringing forward stories that are too rarely told.”

As a child, Sonia wanted to be a contortionist or perform on stage, and later dreamt of a career in journalism. Now, she immerses herself in her work, exploring everything Amsterdam has to offer, while connecting the city’s network.

“My favourite is Qaqnas. Many elements of this performance appeal to me: the all-female cast and the important theme of what women’s freedom means in our society. I also find it remarkable that the performance was created with Naaz and is performed entirely in Kurdish. It’s a topical theme relevant for women and men of all ages, but I think it will especially resonate with young people. A performance you don’t want to miss at this festival!”

Kiriko makes documentaries, arranges flowers, hosts lavish dinners, and is passionate about food. She loves putting things in her mouth: tomatoes, words, body parts, opinions, secrets…

“My favourite is Salukat. It’s a meeting of worlds I want to dive into.”

Pete Wu is a journalist, writer, and documentary maker. He debuted with De Bananengeneratie, made the VPRO series Pete en de Bananen, and writes about identity, culture, and media. Since 2025, he has been part of the HF Young Circle.

“The rave performance Holobiont seems like an intensely immersive experience, with the bodily anarchism that queer spaces allow so richly: you can dance, you can watch, but you can also simply let it happen.”

Alongside her work at IMC Weekendschool and OORZAKEN, Cadisha enjoys starting her own creative projects. This year, she focuses on photography, audio, and jewellery. The Holland Festival is a place where she allows herself to be surprised by the diverse programme, gain new creative insights, and meet new, inspiring people.

“My favourite is Mirage. It seems like a unique experience where the dancers take you on a journey through the desert, showing the most beautiful movements and visuals, almost as if hallucinating after drinking from a forbidden cactus.”

As a host and DJ at Echobox Radio and as MC at Super-Sonic Jazz, Joygail moves between radio, live shows, and festivals. When not on stage, he enjoys performing karaoke with full energy. Go-to song: Man’s Not Hot.

“My favourite is – what’s in a name? – Atomic Joy. I personally believe that activism takes many forms, and joy through art is one of the strongest. The combination of Ana Pi’s Brazilian roots and her current home in Paris makes me curious to see how this is expressed by the group.”

Rowan Stol works at the intersection of contemporary art and social issues. With a background in sociology and cultural analysis, she explores how art can question, challenge and reimagine social structures. She does so through exhibitions, research projects, public programming and writing. She is currently researching how societal issues are addressed through contemporary art in South Korea.

“My favourite is LACRIMA. I find it important how this performance critically examines themes such as postcolonial power relations, production processes in fashion, and the role of the monarchy. It is also interesting that the story is told from multiple perspectives, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this will be brought to life on stage.” 

Timo makes podcasts and writes about pop and internet culture. He is the host of, among others, Reality Check and publishes the newsletter Live, Laugh, Lonely for people who want to stay up to date online, but do not always have the time. 

'My Favourite is And Now I Know What Love Is. Choreographer Blackhaine is one of the most relevant makers of this moment. His post-industrial style comes into its own in a setting like the Bijlmerbajes, which audiences will soon be able to move through. This makes it a unique opportunity to experience his work in this particular location.'

Gigi was born in Seoul, grew up in New Zealand and now considers Amsterdam her second home. She has eaten kimchi every day since childhood, but for her it is more than food: it carries memories of home. Through her food brand Damchi Kimchi, Gigi focuses on community building and on preserving heritage and memory through a diasporic lens. In her free time, she likes to work on new recipes, exploring vegetables and spices that are new to her to expand her culinary narrative.

'My favourite is Brecht’s First Play; I am fascinated by how this multinational collaboration portrays the ‘cancelling’ of anti-heroes and what that reveals about our contemporary culture.'