The logo has been developed to designate cultural activities and performances without a language barrier, such as English-language concerts, plays, films with subtitles and dance events.
Translation by Traci White
The logo was developed for the benefit of the growing international population in the city: In an effort to help better inform them about the cultural offerings in the city, a consortium of venues and municipal programmes have developed the “Language No Problem” logo. Any event in the city featuring the logo means that it is either carried out in English, has English subtitles or does not rely on spoken word.
The term “Language No Problem” is already used by cultural venues in several other cities across the Netherlands, such as Rotterdam, Haarlem, Utrecht and Wageningen. On 13 December, Groningen alderperson Paul de Rook will officially introduce the Groningen “Language No Problem” logo in the Stadsschouwburg prior to a performance of “Dorian” by the Noord Nederlands Toneel.
The participating groups are the Groninger Museum, Noord Nederlands Toneel, Club Guy & Roni, Groninger Forum, Grand Theatre, De Oosterpoort & the Stadsschouwburg, in collaboration with Het Akkoord van Groningen, Marketing Groningen, Here & Now and City Central. The logo was developed to complement the English-language events website, Here & Now.
More than 16,500 of the Groningen’s 204,000 residents are non-Dutch. Of those, more than 8,600 are foreign-born students. The numbers of first generation immigrants are projected to continue rising in the region in the years to come.
Editorial note: The Northern Times is made possible through Het Akkoord van Groningen.
