LEISURE
There’s a time to work and a time to relax. Of course, you can always curl up on the sofa with a good book, but there’s so much more on offer in the region. Enschede is the place to be if it’s culture you’re looking for; it’s easy-going, retains a familiar, accessible atmosphere and is bursting with new ideas. The Twentse Welle is an interactive cultural centre, which houses museums, studios and workshops, a theatre and an observatory. It is built on the site of a huge firework explosion that destroyed an entire residential area in the year 2000
One unmissable event is the Enschede International Jazz Festival, with unique indoor and outdoor performances throughout the Whitsun weekend.
TIP If you’re of an adventurous nature, why not take off to the Rutbeek Lake for a challenging afternoon of surfing or wakeboarding. This is the place that water-lovers head to for a relaxing day out when the temperature rises. Whatever appeals to you, whether it’s swimming, sunbathing, canoeing, diving, sailing or kite flying, this is where you will find it.
And now it’s time to party! When the sun goes down, Twente gets its second wind. Couple a region that loves to party with a large student population and you’re guaranteed great nightlife. The region boasts something for everyone from intimate hole-in-the-wall bars, to cosy clubs and restaurants. For the theatre-lover there are shows and performances every night of the week. But in addition to cafes, bars, theatre shows and cabaret, there’s also a great club scene.
Markelo boasts two clubs, Bill’s Bar and Dieka, which draw in crowds of clubbers from both inside the region and far beyond. They often host famous DJs and bands. The festival season kicks off in the period April to May, including Dauwpop and Bosrock, which attract not only very popular Dutch artists like Ilse de Lange, Opgezwolle and DJ Tiësto, but also famous international artists such as Alanis Morissette, Milow and Saybia. If your tastes run to somewhat edgier music, then head for Atak in Enschede. This large pop venue behind Enschede’s central station regularly features popular Dutch alternative bands like Aux Raus, De Jeugd van Tengenwoordig and Roosbeef. TIP
The Poppodium In Hengelo is sure to appeal to true music lovers. This brand-new location will provide a great venue for attracting major national and international artists to the region, but it will also welcome variety artists and up-and-coming musicians. Its central site, just behind the railway station, is the perfect location, which will only add to its popularity.