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Folly Art Norg
27 jul - 24 aug 2025

Norg, the folly village of the Netherlands

Where art, architecture and design come together in a walking route full of strange structures in the Dutch landscape.

Folly Art Norg is the unique event in the Netherlands that brings together art, architecture and design in the form of crazy structures, also called follies. The follies together form an artistic walking route of 7.5 km in the Drenthe landscape.

In a world where everything has to be useful and efficient, a folly offers a moment of wonder. It is a playful nod to our society, where not everything always has to have a purpose. Sometimes something is just allowed to be there — to enjoy, to be surprised.

What is a Folly?

An unconventional building with no rules or specific purpose. These structures stand out for their remarkable appearance but are neither logical nor practical. The term "folly" originates from the English word "foolish" meaning silly, absurd, or whimsical. Follies have been constructed since Roman times and saw a revival in Europe from 1700 onward. They were built to adorn the estates of the wealthy, primarily for fun (foolishness) and as a display of prosperity.

Participate

Anyone
can submit a design to participate in Folly Art Norg through an open call. The organization carefully assesses all submissions and selects at least fifteen designs for the folly route.

The follies are designed by a diverse group of participants, including artists, architects and autodidacts. Through this open call, they get the chance to bring their vision of art and architecture in public space to life.

The route invites visitors to experience the Drenthe landscape in a new way and to be surprised by the unique creations along the path.

More on how to participate

Current events

Folly Art Norg 2024 was once again an unforgettable year. The route featured 20 follies and attracted a record number of visitors—nearly 10,000! Winner: Zoektocht in de Bodem (vector-i). Audience favorite: Stairway to Heaven (Jan van Dalen & Minne Galama). Check out the 2024 recap and relive the atmosphere of the past edition. This year, 16-year-old Maud van Dommelen presented her Prestige Project, De Rode Draad. As the first participant in this new initiative, she earned a place of honor for young talent. The Open Call is now open! Submissions are accepted until February 28, 2025.