De Parade
Saome bende nooit alleen
Alaaf! Welcome to Stedelijk Museum Kielegat! De Parade is back with an interim exhibition in Next (free to visit), this time featuring a new selection of artworks by photographer Vincen Beeckman and participating residents and organizations. All the works relate to togetherness and metamorphosis: a transformation from who you were to who you want to become.
Activities
In Next, you can also get started yourself! Discover, design, fantasize, and photograph and become part of De Parade.
- Be who you want to be
Photographer Vincen Beeckman is still looking for models! Have your photo taken on February 5, 6, 12, or 13, or step into the photo studio yourself and take a selfie.
- Design a Carnaval emblem
The design competition is back! Imagine this: everyone in Kielegat wearing your emblem. How amazing would that be! You can participate from home or in Next. The new winning emblem will be available for sale from November 11, 2026. [more coming soon]
- Carnaval in images
Help expand the Carnaval archive and share your Carnaval images with Stadsarchief Breda. Do you have photos that add to our story? We are looking for images from the 1930s through the 1960s, featuring specific traditions, recognizable symbolism, or a personal story. [more coming soon]
Beyond the museum walls
Saome bende nooit alleen and De Parade proves it. Together, we are working toward a colorful Carnaval. We do this not only in Next; you can find us in more places across Breda:
- From January 23 to March 19: exhibition at Explore Breda Store
Complete your visit to the exhibition in Next with a look at the exhibition in the Explore Breda Store (free to visit).
- Monday, February 16: participation in the Grote Optocht in Kielegat
Will you spot us during the Grote Optocht? Together with artistic director Juup Luijten and Dennis Oomen, we are working with participants and volunteers on costumes, large props, and a performance about togetherness, change, and identity.
A lot happens behind the scenes. Follow the highlights and developments of De Parade via this digital noticeboard: From the studio.
De Parade
During carnaval, Breda transforms into Kielegat. The spectacle attracts visitors from all over. The streets are lit up in red and orange, the people receive the key to the city, we choose our prince or princess, decide who we want to be, and celebrate together.But carnaval is more than that. Similar traditions exist all over the world, revolving around community spirit, gender, and who you arebor want to be when social rules are turned upside down for once. In the project De Parade, photographer Vincen Beeckman explores these rich traditions together with residents and organizations from Breda. From healthcare institutions to neighborhood workshops, participants enrich the project with their ideas, artwork, and stories.The artworks and stories will be on display, along with work by Vincen Beeckman, from September 12, 2026, in the exhibition De Parade at Stedelijk Museum Breda.
Collaborating partners: ONS label Breda, Creatief Centrum ARTenZO Breda, Annahuis, Naaiatelier De Nieuwe Meidoorn, Zorggroep Tuinzicht, Raffy – Egala Zorg
Knowledge partners: Stichting Kielegat, Kielegats Carnival Museum, BO Diversity, Stadsarchief Breda, BredaPhoto, Stichting Arjati, WIJ – begins with you, Facilitaire Theaterwerkplaats Breda, Jully Bernardus
This exhibition was made possible thanks to: Gemeente Breda, Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, Cultuurfonds Noord-Brabant, VSB Fonds, Provincie Noord-Brabant.
