Connection
This year we are organising the fifth International Open Up festival. The festival is intended for everyone who wishes to live consciously and with an open heart. The most important theme of the festival is connection. By living in connection with one another and ourselves, paradise exists on earth and this is what we create together during the festival.

After four years the festival has now earned a place on the map. This year is about further deepening the connection and growing in quality, among other things. Currently, the organization is being done by a dynamic group of sixteen dedicated people.

Wat do we do?
During the week of the festival, we take you on a journey of experiencing true connection with yourself, those around you and Nature. We offer a wide range of workshops , rituals, healing sessions , meditations, music , dance, song and theatre, all specially designed to reinforce this experience. During the course of the festival a powerful Buddha field is created and higher levels of happiness and connection are attained.

Workshops
The program consists of concerts with national and international musicians as well as eating together, celebrating together and being silent together. It also includes a variety of workshops, such as family constellations, improvisational theatre, shamanistic rituals, women’s groups, men’s groups, the Work of Byron Katie, oneness blessings, reconnection with nature, yoga, dynamic meditations, walks in nature, intuitive painting and diverse dance forms, including Biodanza and Sense dance.

Day scheme 2010

• 07.00 - 08.00 Early bird programme (yoga, tai chi)
• 08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast
• 09:30 - 10.15 Singing, moment toghether, surrender
• 10:30 - 13.00 Workshops 2,5 uur
• 13:00 - 14.00 Lunch
• 14.00 - 15.00 'Free'
• 15:00 - 16:00 Sharing
• 16:30 - 17:15 Family workshops
• 16:30 - 18:00 Workshops 1,5 uur
• 17:30 - Children can eat
• 18:00 - 19.00 Supper
• 21:00 - 23:00 Evening programme

Sharing
Another key element of the festival are the sharing groups . Everyone comes together in small groups daily for one hour to share. During this time you get the opportunity to share your experiences, to listen to others, and to allow an integration of all the input from the festival. The groups consisting of between six and 8 people have the power to really bring people together.

Co-creators

There are over 100 co-creators (volunteers) who form the backbone of the festival. They work four to six hours a day, participating in the entire process of making Open Up what it is. They contribute 275 euro for 14 days (21st July – 2nd August, including days to set up and take down the festival).

Location and price
The festival takes place at Uelenspieghel, a magical location in the untouched forests of Drenthe. Adult participants pay 495 euro for the entire week of you pay before june 15. Hereafter the festival costs 545 euro. This includes all workshops, concerts, three meals a day (organic, vegetarian food) and a camping spot. Click here to buy tickets.

The experience of participants and co-creators alike is that the intense togetherness that is lived and the inspiration that is gained during the festival continue to have a positive effect on many aspects of life during the entire year.

Babies and young toddlers (0-4 years)
It fits within the philosophy of this festival that you see your relationship with your children as part of your own spiritual development. This means that very young children and especially babies are with their parents/caregivers as much as possible. Naturally, parents/caregivers can do occasional babysitting exchanges with other parents/caregivers.  We leave it to the participants to make arrangements about childcare among themselves. This year Paul Vrenken will help with the organization of this group so that parents can share the care for their young children together. He is a father of two daughters (ages 1 and 5) and was co-creator on the children’s team last year.

Children’s program
For children ages four and up we offer a complete children’s programme. Children from ages four to seventeen only pay EUR 190. Babies and toddlers under four are free. Parents must provide care for children under 4 themselves and can make arrangements with other parents. Also, special meals are prepared for the children, whenever possible, to cater to their tastes.

The children can be brought to the Children’s Field fifteen minutes before the workshops begin and can be picked up again after the sharing. After lunch the children’s programme continues for another few hours after which a variety of workshops are offered for parents and children to do together.