Midwinter Ritual: The Watery Womb of the World

Language during the event: English

Enter the darkest night of the year with us and participate in a midwinter ritual in the church of Ruigoord. Guided by space, your body and sound, this ritual invites you to explore the play of light and shadow within yourself.

After a meditative walk, you set a clear intention for the coming year. This intention is then sung to you as you are enveloped in the gentle embrace of a womb. A personal voice performance strengthens and deepens your intentions.

For the second time, artists Roosien Verlaan and Nina van Hartskamp invite you on a transformative journey - a joint ritual to reflect on your personal path over the past years.

What happens when you surrender to the unknown in the darkness of a soft womb?
How do our inner worlds, our fears and dreams, influence the world in the making?
/>You dare to shine light on what wants to be born in the coming year?

Will you participate?

🌑 Program

The ritual starts at 6:00 PM and unfolds over three time slots:

6:00 PM
6:45 PM
7:30 PM

There is a joint closing fire ritual to 9:30 PM

Between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM you are welcome to enjoy a nutritious vegan meal and chai.
Prepared by Ayurvedic chef Renata Žabsky in the village hall.
br/>Price: €10.00 [we only accept cash payments]

🌑 About the makers

As multidisciplinary artists, Nina van Hartskamp and Roosien Verlaan create participatory rituals in which the play between light and darkness, resilience and vulnerability, and the rhythms of life are central. Fluidity and collaboration are at the core of their practice. They weave visual and tactile elements, sound, movement and many voices into experiences that invite reflection on personal and collective journeys. Anchored in storytelling, embodied exploration and feminist values, their work challenges traditional structures and celebrates interconnectedness. Through art and rituals they create deep connections—with yourself, others and the environment—and give participants the strength to embrace the unknown and move forward with renewed clarity, courage and playful connection.

This Midwinter Ritual: The Watery Womb of the World is a co-creation with Ruigoord and several artists.