Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe

What Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe does

Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe is a Dutch non-profit foundation (ANBI status, KvK 54841585) that organizes a free annual liberation festival every May 5th at Baggelhuizerplas in Assen, the capital of Drenthe province. The event commemorates the 1945 liberation of the Netherlands and combines live music, civic dialogue, and cultural programming across six themed stages (RTV Drenthe Main Stage, Sena Stage, Bonte Wever Dance Stage, Actifood Talentstage, Welcome to the Playground, Vrijheidspodium/Blues Stage). Surrounding programming includes the Vrijheidsbrunch XXL (~1,000 participants), Vrijheidsmaaltijd communal dinners, the Songs for Freedom competition, and the Plein van de Vrijheid discussion square featuring organizations such as Amnesty International, COC Nederland, Veteraneninstituut, and Vlucht Voorwaarts. The 155km Liberation Fire relay from Wageningen to Assen, run by Loopgroep Kloosterveen, is an annual symbolic anchor.

The core product is therefore a single-day, free public cultural event with layered sub-programs; there is no proprietary technology stack — operations run on standard event-production tooling plus a WordPress website, social media channels, and partner-provided broadcast coverage via RTV Drenthe. Distribution is exclusively physical (festival grounds) plus PR-driven earned media; there is no app, no e-commerce, and no digital ticketing.

The business model is a multi-stream non-profit funding structure rather than a transactional revenue model. Free public admission is enabled by government grants (Municipality of Assen, Province of Drenthe, Rijksoverheid), national funds (V-fonds, Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie), and ~10 recurring corporate sponsors (RTV Drenthe, Bonte Wever, DNK, Koninklijke van Gorkum, TT-circuit, CAT54, Actifood, Evenementenservice, Responz Media, Vijfschaft Catering). A supplementary recurring-revenue layer is being built via Individual Friends memberships at €15/year and Corporate Friends memberships at €250/year. The organization is governed by a 6-person volunteer board (Chairman Bob Bergsma, Secretary Esther Steenbergen, Treasurer Joyce van Wijk, and board members Robert van der Velde, Hiske Andriessen, Jasper de Groot) plus a director and a broader volunteer base; operations are concentrated in Assen and serve the Drenthe regional market.

Name

Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe

Legal name

Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe

Website

https://bevrijdingsfestivaldrenthe.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe is a Dutch non-profit that organizes a free annual liberation festival every May 5th in Assen, combining music, civic dialogue, and community programming funded by government grants, corporate sponsorships, and a nascent Friends membership program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Cultural Festivals

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Music & Dance Festivals (Non-Commercial/Local) (MPAGAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG)

Keywords

• Cultural festival organization
• Annual liberation festival
• Music festival programming
• Community civic events
• Public commemoration events

Headquarters

HQ city

Assen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Friends Membership: Annual membership program where individuals become 'Friends' of the festival for €15 per year, receiving benefits including early access to news, behind-the-scenes content, VIP invitations, and supporting extra activities.
2. Corporate Friends Membership: Annual corporate membership at €250 per year offering VIP arrangements and networking opportunities for businesses.
3. Sponsorships: Financial and in-kind support from sponsors including RTV Drenthe, Bonte Wever, DNK, Koninklijke van Gorkum, TT-circuit, CAT54, Actifood, Evenementenservice, Responz Media, and Vijfschaft Catering.
4. Government Funding: Supported by Gemeente Assen and Provincie Drenthe, enabling free admission to the festival.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe organizes and presents a free annual public cultural festival on May 5th at Baggelhuizerplas in Assen, Netherlands, commemorating the 1945 liberation of the country. The event features multiple music stages, communal meals, civic discussions about freedom and human rights, and supporting programs such as the Songs for Freedom competition and Vrienden memberships. The festival's free admission is funded through sponsorships, government support, and membership contributions.

Product overview

Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe is a non-profit annual festival organization that operates as a single unified event product. The core offering is the Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe held annually on May 5th at Baggelhuizerplas in Assen, featuring multiple music stages (Main Stage, Sena Stage, Bonte Wever Dance Stage, Actifood Talentstage), freedom-themed activities (Vrijheidsbrunch XXL, Vrijheidsmaaltijd, Plein van de Vrijheid), and community programs (Songs for Freedom competition, volunteer program, Vrienden membership). The festival is free to attend and funded by sponsors, partners, and memberships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe (Annual Freedom Festival) Annual free public cultural festival held on May 5th at Baggelhuizerplas in Assen, featuring multiple music stages, communal meals, and civic programming about freedom, democracy, and human rights. Targeted at the general public of Drenthe and beyond.
• Songs for Freedom Annual music competition for musicians from Drenthe who write original freedom-themed songs aligned with the yearly theme; the winner performs during the lighting of the Bevrijdingsvuur and receives a €1,000 prize.
• Vrijheidsbrunch XXL Pre-registered communal freedom brunch for approximately 1,000 participants featuring soup and conversation about the meaning of freedom, including a 'vrijheidssoep' developed with culinary personality Janny van der Heijden.
• Vrijheidsmaaltijd (Freedom Meal) Communal meal held during the festival to connect people from different cultural backgrounds through shared dinner and conversation about freedom.
• Plein van de Vrijheid (Freedom Square) On-site forum within the festival grounds hosting discussions on freedom and human rights with organizations such as Amnesty International, COC Nederland, Veteraneninstituut, and Vlucht Voorwaarts.
• Vrienden Membership (Individual & Corporate Friends) Annual membership program with Individual Friend (€15/year) and Corporate Friend (€250/year) tiers, providing early news access, behind-the-scenes content, VIP invitations, and networking opportunities while supporting the festival's mission.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RTV DrenthecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional broadcaster partner providing Main Stage coverage and promoting the festival. RTV Drenthe is listed as a sponsor and co-branding partner for the main stage.
• Gemeente Assen (Municipality of Assen)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal government partner providing support and enabling free festival access. Listed as partner supporting the festival.
• Provincie Drenthe (Province of Drenthe)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvincial government partner supporting the festival. Listed as partner along with the municipality.
• Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 meicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational committee that sets the annual theme for Liberation Day celebrations. Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe participates in the national program and follows the annual theme.
• Loopgroep KloosterveencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRunning group that annually brings the Liberation Fire from Wageningen to Assen, covering approximately 155 kilometers. The relay run is an integral part of the festival tradition.
• DNK (Cultuurcentrum)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCultural center listed as sponsor, providing venue support and cultural programming partnership.
• De Bonte WeverminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as sponsor providing the Bonte Wever Dance Stage and supporting dance programming.
• SENA (Stichting Educatieve Muziek Activiteiten)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic foundation supporting the Sena Stage at the festival, promoting musical talent development.
• TT Circuit AssenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal motorsport venue listed as sponsor partner supporting the festival.
• Kunst & Cultuur DrentheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial cultural organization collaborating on talent programming including the Actifood Talentstage.
• Amnesty InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuman rights organization present at the Plein van de Vrijheid discussing freedom and human rights themes.
• COC NederlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBT+ rights organization participating in freedom activities and discussions at the festival.
• Vlucht VoorwaartsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting refugees, organizing a 'praathuis' (talking house) in the Huiskamer tent during the festival.
• VeteraneninstituutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans institute present at the Plein van de Vrijheid for discussions on freedom and remembrance.
• Defensie (Dutch Ministry of Defence)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMilitary presence including Marine Roadshow with vehicles, climbing tower, VR experience, and rubber boats on the water.
• Fonds voor CultuurparticipatieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational fund for cultural participation supporting the festival's cultural programming.
• Janny van der HeijdenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulinary writer and TV personality who developed the 'vrijheidssoep' (freedom soup) for the Vrijheidsbrunch XXL in 2026.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bevrijdingsfestival Overijssel: Overijssel's May 5th free liberation festival, organized as a non-profit with multi-stage music programming and civic engagement. Geographically adjacent to Drenthe and structurally identical — directly comparable in scope and target audience.
• Bevrijdingsfestival Rotterdam: Rotterdam's free May 5th liberation festival with multi-stage music and human-rights programming. Shares the same non-profit operating model, sponsor/government funding mix, and alignment with Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei — a directly comparable peer in a different city.
• Bevrijdingsfestival Utrecht: Utrecht province's annual free liberation festival on May 5th, organized as an ANBI non-profit with multiple music stages and civic programming. Direct peer: same model, same national coordination, same funding structure, different region.
• Bevrijdingsfestival Gelderland: Gelderland's annual May 5th liberation festival, organized as a non-profit with multiple music stages and human-rights programming. Directly comparable in funding model, scope, and national alignment.
• Bevrijdingsfestival Zeeland: Zeeland's annual free May 5th liberation festival, organized as a non-profit with multi-stage music and civic programming. Identical business model and national coordination framework.
• Bevrijdingsfestival Amsterdam: The Amsterdam edition of the national Bevrijdingsfestival network, also held free on May 5th with multiple music stages and a civic/human-rights program. Same operating model (ANBI non-profit, sponsor + government funded) and same national coordinating committee, making it the closest structural comparable to Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe.
• Bevrijdingsfestival Friesland: Friesland province's free May 5th liberation festival, run as a non-profit event with multi-stage programming and civic engagement focus. Same model, same national coordination, neighboring northern region — a strong structural and regional peer.
• Bevrijdingsfestival Noord-Holland: North Holland's free May 5th liberation festival held at multiple locations, structured as a non-profit with multi-stage programming and civic activities. Directly comparable operating model and target audience.

Others

• Stichting Musis & Stadstheater Arnhem: A Dutch non-profit performing arts venue and programmer in Gelderland, comparable as a regional non-profit cultural organization that combines municipal/provincial support with corporate sponsorship and programmed civic/community events. Different delivery model (year-round venue vs. annual outdoor festival), but comparable non-profit cultural sector.
• Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei: The national committee that coordinates Dutch remembrance and liberation programming and sets the annual theme for May 4/5. Not a direct peer, but the strategic ecosystem anchor and core partner of every Bevrijdingsfestival — directly relevant for understanding funding and programming alignment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bevrijdingsfestival_drenthe
• Facebookfacebook.com/bfdrenthe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bevrijdingsfestival-drenthe
• Instagraminstagram.com/bevrijdingsfestivaldrenthe
• TikToktiktok.com/discover/bevrijdings-festival-drenthe
• Xx.com/bfdrenthe

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bevrijdingsfestival Drenthe