Amsterdam transformed a section of its A10 ring road into a temporary forest for the Op de Ring festival, celebrating the city’s 750th anniversary. The event, held on the longest day of the year, featured 750 large trees and 7,500 smaller ones, offering a unique experience for over 200,000 ticket holders.
The festival included concerts, a rave, a picnic, a running competition, and even a wedding ceremony for twenty couples. The temporary forest provided a welcome respite from the heat, with visitors seeking shade among the trees and sown wildflowers.
De Gezonde Stad, a foundation focused on making Amsterdam healthier and greener, co-initiated the forest. Director Hannah Hendrikx emphasized the benefits of greenery, citing research indicating trees can lower perceived temperatures by 15 degrees.
Landscape architect Bruno Doedens, the project’s spiritual father, aimed to create a shift in perspective, highlighting the need for balance with nature. The 750 trees, representing over 100 species, were gifted to the city by various foundations and companies and will be planted permanently in Amsterdam after a period of “tree camping.”
Doedens expressed hope that the trees would move through the city before being permanently planted, similar to a previous project in Leeuwarden. Despite safety and crowd control measures requiring a wide walkway through the forest, Doedens considered the project a success in conveying its message.
The festival program was adjusted due to the heat, with asphalt temperatures potentially reaching 50 degrees Celsius. The first half of the festival concluded with security sweeping the area, preparing for the arrival of attendees for the afternoon and evening programs.