A Small Group Of Travellers in The Hague
an introduction to a lifelong yearly project
Welcome to The Flâneurs Project. This post is part of our Longing for Places series.
In exactly one week from now, between the 26th and the 28th of July, I will welcome into my home and the city I currently live in, The Hague, a small group of travellers from different corners of the world: the USA, Switzerland, Austria, and The Netherlands. We’re a small group of six people, the ones who accepted my open invitation to spend a weekend this summer in The Hague walking and talking, enjoying the city together, without knowing a fixed schedule in advance.
I was walking through The Hague some days ago, feeling exhilarated, my attention flooded by rich input: poems on buildings, art displayed in windows, and little ornamental details here and there.
The city gives and gives and gives, when we know where and how to look.
On my walk, I came across this poem by the Dutch writer, M. Vasalis, entitled “Zachter”, Softer:
The Gathering
Three of the people who will join this weekend gathering I have already interviewed for The Flâneurs Project, and all of them have lived in different cities and countries around the world: Alina, Olga, and Christoph.
I asked them a while ago, “What is your personal definition of the flâneur / flâneuse?”:
Olga: I do not have one! But I suppose I see the flâneur as a kind of hyperchameleon – taking on the colours and contours of the areas that she walks on and through.
Christoph: A person who aligns a moving body with thoughts that are on the move as well.
Alina: I would say that a flâneuse is someone who experiences a connection with a place by simply enjoying the small things, by observing without a purpose. Being in a meditative state in movement.
The selection process was smooth. This year, I shared a page about the gathering with friends, friends of friends, and once on Twitter. Five people applied right away, and since the group already seemed balanced and quite diverse, I stopped promoting the gathering. Small is beautiful.
Most of the people joining booked their own flights and hotel rooms in The Hague, and the whole gathering (welcome dinner and drinks at my home, three salons, guided walks, and the “welcome kit” consisting of a selection of books) is free of charge. I could only host one person at my home over the weekend, and Alina already lives in the Netherlands, close to The Hague.
Itinerary & Places
Some days ago I sent this itinerary to the participants:
Day 1 (Friday) - Arrival
• 5 PM - 8 PM: Introduction salon at my home. I will prepare dinner and have wine and non-alcoholic drinks available.
• 8 PM onwards: Night walk in the city or by the sea, or we’ll continue the conversation at home.
Day 2 (Saturday) - Exploring
• 2 PM: Meet at The Collector in The Hague for a salon and drinks. Topic: The Places That We Crave. We will dive into a conversation about the cities in which we live and the city we would love to live in. I will prepare a set of questions.
• 4 PM: Split into groups of two and explore the city together, documenting what you like, what intrigues you, and what makes you happy (photos, notes, etc.). You can also opt to do this alone.
• 7:30 PM: Dinner by the sea. I will reserve a table at one of my favourite restaurants in Scheveningen. It’s a 15-minute tram ride from the city center to the beach, followed by a walk by the sea.
• Night: Walk by the sea.
Day 3 (Sunday) - Farewell
• 10 AM: Morning coffee at a café in the city center and a closing salon, sharing our walking experiences from Saturday.
• 12 PM: Walks, solo or in a group, and an open schedule for everyone. I can recommend nearby cities to visit (Leiden, Delft), which are just 10 minutes away by train and perfect for exploring on foot and getting lost in.
Why am I doing this?
I want a yearly ritual and a lifelong project in which I bring people together for meaningful conversations, good food, and long walks deeply engaged with a place. Hosting this experience is already a reward in itself—the stories that will emerge, the connections made, the questions asked, the lingering moments of satisfaction after a good meal and a walk, and the promise of a yearly ritual with different people in various corners of the world are simply priceless.
I have always craved, while travelling solo and even when accompanied by loved ones, leisurely dinners with a small group of people to celebrate a day well spent walking in a new city.
I hope this first gathering will fulfill some of the yearnings and curiosities of the travellers joining me this year. I’ll keep you updated on how it goes, so expect a follow-up sometime in August.
As I reflected more deeply, I realized that I’m doing this also because I want to give something back to The Hague. The city offers so much when we know where and how to look, but what are we giving in return?
Thank you for reading!
Patricia Hurducaș
I love your project and the mentality behind it. I know you'll enjoy every minute.
Also, I LOVE the new logo!