Off the Map #2 at AINSI
With writer Philip Dröge about Moresnet, a musical experiment by Daan Soenens and his band, some nutopian imagining by graphic designer Floor Koomen and journalist Jorie Horsthuis about her visit to the Strait of Hormuz. And as always, a nerdy quiz by researcher Suzanne Hendriks.
Suzanne Hendriks | 15 Apr 2026
Waiting On the Water
A boat rests quietly on the calm waters of Haarlem, in the Netherlands. From afar, it might look like any ordinary vessel. But inside, it holds stories of loss, survival, and the heavy weight of uncertainty. ‘Waiting is a quiet battle. You wake up every morning not knowing what your future will be.’
Fanuael Hailemariam | 9 Apr 2026
‘You Need a Crisis Before the World Starts Listening To You’
Welcome to De Facto’s new interview series, in which we interview scientists, artists and journalists about contested borders. We kick off with political scientist Ramesh Ganohariti, who has recently co-authored a book on sub-state recognition. ‘States have become more emboldened to throw the international playbook out of the window.’
Jorie Horsthuis | 11 Mar 2026
Filmfestival Vlieland
On Februari 20-22, De Facto teamed up with writer Adwin de Kluyver and Podium Vlieland - the cutest cinema on the Wadden island of Vlieland - to organise an Off the Map film festival. People travelled from all over the Netherlands and even from Berlin to be with us on the island for three days.
Suzanne Hendriks | 25 Feb 2026
Left Out In the Cold
For decades, the separatist Moldovan region of Transnistria has been able to count on practically free gas from Russia. When that changed last year, the impact on the lives of the local community was immense. What are the prospects for this self-declared republic? “We constantly talk about the coming winter.”
Max Smedes | 8 Dec 2025
Off the Map at AINSI, Maastricht
De Facto was never closer to the Dutch border as at theater AINSI, Maastricht. With a mini-lecture by border professor Henk van Houtum, dance by Limburg performers Zoë Greten and Bo Jacobs. And: journalist Jorie Horsthuis about Nagorno-Karabakh, graphic designer Floor Koomen about fake islands in the South-China Sea and researcher Suzanne Hendriks with an exhilarating quiz.
Suzanne Hendriks | 24 Nov 2025
The second edition of Off the Map in The Hague
With music from the choir Slavuj singing songs from the Balkan and the Black Sea area, where borders still scar the surface and Dutch-Kurdish filmmaker Reber Dosky about his work in Kurdistan. Of course also with graphic designer Floor Koomen with a talk about the United Koreans, a quiz by Suzanne Hendriks and moderation by Jorie Horsthuis.
Suzanne Hendriks | 14 May 2025
De Facto’s First Off the Map in The Hague
With music from Ukrainian born Alex Tugushin about borders that turn into battlefields and professor Henk van Houtum about why we should change our maps and atlases. Of course also with graphic designer Floor Koomen with a talk about Cabinda, a quiz by Suzanne Hendriks and moderation by Jorie Horsthuis.
Suzanne Hendriks | 18 Mar 2025
De Facto Live On Tour #5
With writer Eva Vriend on new and old land in the province of Flevoland and music from Ukrainian born Alex Tugushin who shared his worries with us. Graphic designer Floor Koomen took us to space with micronation Celestia, Jorie Horsthuis shared her impressions from Kosovo and there was a quiz by researcher Suzanne Hendriks.
Suzanne Hendriks | 6 Feb 2025