The University of Noorderzon

Thursday 15 August marks the start of the 10-day Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival, held in our beautiful Noorderplantsoen park. Young and old will return home from the festivities slightly smarter than they were before, thanks to the ‘University of Noorderzon’. The UG, the university of the Northern Netherlands, will offer festival-goers the chance to increase their knowledge in an accessible and fun way for a bargain price at the Noorderzon festival.

DIY research

From 16 to 20 August, you can find Noorderlichten [Northern Lights] activities for young and old at the Speelweide area, organized by the Young Academy Groningen (YAG). Always wanted to be a scientist for a day? Or want to get to know the young scientists at the UG and learn about their research? The members of the YAG will show you what a neuron looks like, how you can study a group of turtles and who the Greek gods were. Come along to try out experiments, puzzles and challenges! If you manage to complete everything, you will even receive a diploma.

Lectures via headphones

In the evenings, YAG members will give spectacular 15-minute mini-lectures designed especially for children (and adults) aged 12 years and over. Every evening, other researchers will speak about one of 20 diverse interesting topics via a headset. What is the societal impact of your toilet roll? Are criminals taking over the Netherlands? What can seventeenth-century philosophers teach us about current questions on identity and individuality? You can count on leaving the podium in the Speelweide area feeling enriched!

Studium Generale and Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health

Can’t wait until lectures begin again in September? Studium Generale will also join the University of Noorderzon, with three scientific lectures for adults taking place across both weekends of the festival.

• 17 Aug. Dirk de Wachter – Laat ons ook ongelukkig zijn [Let’s be unhappy too] (sold out)
• 18 Aug. Ellen Laan – Seks! Een leven lang leren [Sex! A life of ongoing learning]
• 24 Aug. Menno Schilthuizen – Darwin in de stad [Darwin in the city]

For the second year running, the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health (AJSPH) has also planned a full day of activities on the theme of healthy ageing, including an escape room for kids. This takes place on 21 August in the Horatio tent.

Overview of activities: University of Noorderzon

• Noorderlichten (YAG): 16-20 August from 1 to 6 p.m., for ages 6 and above, costs 1 ‘Speelweidemunt’ per activity. The list of activities for each day can be found at rug.nl/noorderzon.
• Mini-lectures (YAG): 16-20 August from 8 to 10 p.m., for ages 12 and above, costs € 2 per person. The list of topics can be found at rug.nl/noorderzon.
• Studium Generale: scientific lectures for adults on 17, 18 and 24 August. Costs € 7.50 per person. For tickets, visit Studium Generale Groningen.
• The Escape (AJSPH): 21 August, ‘CRACK THE CODE FOR HAPPINESS’. For details, visit the AJSPH website.

The 29th edition of Noorderzon takes place from Thursday 15 to Sunday 25 August in the Noorderplantsoen park in Groningen.