The Forum is trying to provide its services online
On Monday evening, the Dutch government announced a broad package of measures to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, including banning all events and gathering until June 1. This has major consequences for both the Forum Groningen and the Groninger Museum, with both remaining closed until that date, reports the Groninger Internet Courant.
The Forum has only been open for around 100 days, and in that period attracted more than a million visitors, and headlines from across Europe. The Forum will now forced to close for 2.5 months: “that feels terrible,” director Dirk Nijdam said to RTV Noord.
The Forum will use these quiet times to carry out overdue maintenance. For example, a lot of furniture and structures have been cleaned, and more will needs to be done.
In the meantime, the Forum is trying to keep up as many services as possible through online services. Lots of films can be viewed online, and it is being examined as to whether books can be borrowed to order. A major secret exhibition that is unanounced must be postponed.
Groninger Museum also closed
The Groninger Museum is also closed until 1 June. The museum has also decided to postpone exhibitions: one about the liberation of Groningen is now postponed. It is also impossible to send the exhibits from the exhibition about the Italian architect Alessandro Mendini back to his home country.
The museum says that it will be able to continue without income for a few weeks, but “that it will be tense” if the closure continues for months.
Image via The Forum Groningen
