Photo by Jelmer de Haas Merlijn Twaalfhoven
Merlijn Twaalfhoven has designed countless music and theater projects in cities, neighbourhoods, conflict areas, refugee camps and nature. He wanted to break through boundaries between genres, cultures and people. He often gives the listeners an active role and there is a lot of interaction. In his book Het is aan ons, waarom we de kunstenaars in onszelf nodig hebben om de wereld te redden, he shows how each of us can play a meaningful role in tackling global problems large and small if we activate the artist in ourselves. He has worked with, among others, Het Nationale Ballet, Toneelgroep Amsterdam and the Kronos Quartet. His compositions have been performed at home and abroad and have been awarded several times. He is also founder of The Turn Club, a partnership of art professionals, change agents and bridge builders, co-initiator of the Sociaal Creatieve Raad, member of de Akademie van Kunsten and initiator of the Toekomstverkiezing.