Exhibition 'Ademtocht' in the Grote of Jacobijnerkerk Church in Leeuwarden

On Thursday 17 April 2025, it will be eighty years ago that Leeuwarden was liberated from the German occupation. Reason for the art committee of the Grote of Jacobijnerkerk to organize a painting exhibition by the artist Jip Wijngaarden, who lives in France.

Janneke Wijngaarden, born in Amsterdam in 1964, became famous in 1983 for her role as Anne Frank in the play and film about the Secret Annex. In 1989, Jip left for France for film recordings, where she met sound engineer Philippe Combes. She married him in 1990.

Jip continued to perform theatre and film roles, but also started studying Hebrew at the Jewish study house in Geneva. In 2000, she started painting about subjects such as Israel, the Second World War and the Bible. After training at the Geneva Art Academy, presentations of her work followed in the Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Austria.

In 2003, Jip exhibited the impressive series “Boulevard des Déportés” in the former synagogue of Kampen. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Anne Frank House in 2010, she collaborated on a manifestation in the Westerkerk in Amsterdam. This was followed by exhibitions in the synagogues of Elburg and Groningen and in the Oude Kerk in Delft.

Jip Wijngaarden has noted about the Second World War: “The horrors that took place in Europe in the years 1938-1945 surpass any horror film and any Nacht und Nebel scenario that can occur to the human brain... Take the time to read about... delve into... not to give answers but to ask questions... Look - listen - learn and REMEMBER!”

From 17 April 2025, the liberation of Leeuwarden, the exhibition can be seen on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.