Freedom banquet 2026: Invitation to the open event in Dinxperlo

Residents from Dinxperlo, Suderwick and the surrounding area will celebrate freedom together at the annual Freedom Supper on Tuesday 5 May 2026. Everyone is cordially invited to attend the fourth edition in the building of the Christian community on Kerkhofplein in Dinxperlo.

At a time when conflicts are increasing worldwide, this event is characterised by encounters and cohesion. Visitors can enjoy a bowl of delicious freedom soup with sandwiches. Pianist Peter Zandbergen will provide atmospheric background music during the meal.

Encounter across borders

The doors are open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and guests can join us at any time. The get-together emphasises how special it is that Dutch and Germans are sitting together at the same table 81 years after the Second World War and are connected across borders.

"All are welcome and participation is completely free", says organiser Esther Nederlof. "Last year we had significantly more participants than expected", she explains. That is why we are asking people to register in advance this year via the following link: www.dinxperience.nl/inschrijven-vrijheidsmaaltijd

Soup by Janny van der Heijden

This year, the Freedom Soup will be prepared by chef Janny van der Heijden, known from her cookbooks and the Dutch cooking programme Heel Holland Bakt. "If there's one thing that unites us, it's food", says Van der Heijden. "The Freedom Soup should be more than just a dish. It should also stand for something", she emphasises.

For the freedom meal, she chooses a white soup based on white beans, ginger and coconut milk. With various toppings, everyone can customise the soup to their own taste and colour. "White stands for the dove of peace or the white flag", she explains. "From pumpkin seeds to basil and from diced tomatoes to fried onions: everyone puts together their own combination. This creates conversations at the table all by itself", she emphasises.

The Freedom Feast is organised by the Dinxperwick Citizens' Initiative, DinXperience, the Grensland Museum and a number of committed Dinxperwick residents. The municipality of Aalten, the city of Bocholt, Vfonds and Interreg Germany-Netherlands support this cross-border initiative.

The Freedom Banquet 2026 is made possible by the Interreg Germany-Netherlands programme and its programme partners and is co-financed by the European Union (EU).