Cultural programme in Arnhem
During the summer of 2026, Umbra Pavilion brought Audrey Hepburnplein in Arnhem to life, celebrating solar energy with the residents of it. Part of this was a cultural programme built around three ZONdagen (SUNdays), organised by Bureau Ruimtekoers, which brought together young and old. Each ZONdag offered something different: an introduction with Pauline van Dongen, cyanotype workshops, building a solar neighbourhood with 'Bouwstad Zonnestad', solar viewing with Sterrenwacht Presikhaaf, 'Zonnige Deuntjes' with Bovenste Knoopje Open, a Solar Soundwalk, solar cooking, and more; all in celebration of the sun and its power.
Alongside the ZONdagen, the municipality of Arnhem hosted an information fair at the pavilion about the sun and its effects on the city and its residents. With organisations including GGD, Rode Kruis, and Groen Arnhem, it offered practical solutions to heat stress and raised awareness of its dangers; heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe, hitting the elderly, young children, and people with vulnerable health hardest.
These events turned the pavilion into a lively place for Arnhem residents to come together and experience the importance of shade in the built environment, but also to gather around to discuss heat in our cities, the potential of solar design, and about the sun itself.
