Foundation for a Forest that is of Itself (Stichting Bos dat van Zichzelf is) is celebrating 450 years of protection of the Haagse Bos (Hague Forrest) through the Act of Redemption with various activities in The Hague. From April 7th to May 1st, the Atrium City Hall will feature an impressive 7-meter-tall tree made of reclaimed wood from The Hague, created by Hague artist Johan van der Wiel. Schoolchildren in The Hague are creating the canopy. There will also be an art route through the city, led by art students, to the Haagse Bos (The Hague Forest).

Act of Redemption
In 1576, the Haagse Bos (Hague Forest) was planned to be cut down to fund the Dutch Wars of Independence against the Spanish. Residents of The Hague prevented the forest from being cut down and bought free(redeemed) the Hague Forest. In the Act of Redemption, they agreed that the forest would remain in perpetuity and it signed by William of Orange. In 1576, this 9,000-year-old forest was the first forest in the world to receive legal protection and therefore still stands in the heart of the city.

The Hague Forest and the Act of Redemption inspired Peter Akkerman to establish his NGO Stichting Bos dat van Zichzelf is (Foundation for a Forest that is of Itself). The foundation aims to protect forests in more locations in the Netherlands forever, using a modern version of the Act of Redemption. Peter also regularly gives tours of the Hague Forest.

Exhibition Atrium City Hall
To celebrate the protection of the Haagse Bos, to keep the stories about the forest alive, and to inspire future conservationists, the “Bos dat van Zichzelf is” Foundation is organizing an exhibition in April 2026: at Atrium City Hall, with an art route through the city via Central Station to the Haagse Bos, where various (educational) activities will take place.

The exhibition is being organized in collaboration with the Hague Municipal Archives, artists, historians, ecologists, and a wonderful group of (art) students. The celebration is being organized in collaboration with the Municipality of The Hague and the Forestry Commission (Staatsbosbeheer).

To finance this artwork, we will launch a crowdfunding campaign, similar to the purchase of the Haagse Bos. Various artistic activities will take place in the forest every Saturday afternoon between February 21st and March 21st.

LUC students delved into the archives and spoke with numerous stakeholders and residents about their relationship with the forest. They have created a beautiful story about “the Forest through the Ages.” For example, we’ll tell you how this 9,000-year-old forest and Holland are intimately connected, the tragic love affair between singer Teresa Imer and Casanova in the forest, and how Ary van Der Spuy outwitted Napoleon and saved the forest. We’ll also tell you about the animals and plants that live in the forest and its importance to the city’s livability. Several artists will create artworks about the forest, and art students from the HKU (University of the Arts Utrecht) will create a beautiful art route.

Activities Foundation for a Forest that is of Itself

• January 24, 2026: Tree distribution event on the Malieveld, The Hague, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• February 21 to March 21: (Crowdfunding with all artistic activities in the Haagse Bos) guided tours, performances, and children’s activities every Saturday in the Haagse Bos
• April 7, 2026: Exhibition opening in the atrium of The Hague City Hall
• April 7 to May 1, 2026: Exhibition in The Hague City Hall and the art route through the city, via Central Station and the Haagse Bos. In this period various (educational) activities will also be held in the Haagse Bos.

In collaboration with the Municipality of The Hague, Staatsbosbeheer and Meer Bomen Nu, a tree distribution campaign was organized on January 24th, and, in collaboration with these first two organizations, a wonderful celebration will be held in the Haagse Bos on April 16^th 2026. A picnic table dedicated to the Act of Redemption will be unveiled and a beautiful booklet about the Haagse Bos will be published.

Keep an eye on the website of the Stichting Bos dat van Zichzelf is for all updates.