On June 7, the Residentie Orkest performed Residentie Orkest Juliana Plaza, the social heart of Transvaal and the Schilderswijk. An ensemble consisting of string players, a clarinetist, and oud player Haytham Safia presented a warm and diverse program featuring music by Bach, Mozart, Henriëtte Bosmans, and one of Haytham’s own compositions.

The venue gave the concert extra significance. Juliana Plaza is a special place in The Hague, where Atalay Celenk and Jale Celen devote themselves heart and soul to fostering encounters, connections, and a community where everyone is welcome. This year’s Concert for Transvaal was also particularly festive: it kicked off the anniversary week celebrating ten years of Juliana Plaza and one hundred years of Juliana Church.

Speeches by Atalay Celenk, Mayor Jan van Zanen, and our Deputy Director of Audience & Market, Annelie Bulsing, underscored just how important places like Juliana Plaza are to the city. That is precisely where the Residentie Orkest wants Residentie Orkest : not only on the concert stage, but also at the heart of the community, close to residents and the stories of the neighborhood.

The Concert for Transvaal is part of our social pillar and is made possible in part by Rabobank The Hague, Fonds RO, and Fonds 1818.