On Thursday, November 6, Luminiscence Nederland premiered in the Oude Kerk in Delft. The Dutch audience was introduced to a new experience by combining three elements: storytelling in a historical setting, a live choir and orchestra, and projection technology. The initial reactions to the performance have been glowing, and over 60.000 tickets have already been sold.
This makes Luminiscence not only a new experience but also plays a significant role in promoting the city of Delft. The show was initially scheduled to run until January 3, 2026. However, due to the high level of interest, the project has now been extended until the end of January.
The concept originated in France – a country where many tourists have historically enjoyed "Son et Lumiere" (sound and light) shows performed at antique cabinets. Thanks to Luminiscence, this tradition has been reinterpreted, primarily utilizing new projection and sound technology. At each location, the French technology team is supported by a local partner who adapts the show to the specific location and handles its production. In the Netherlands, this is TwentyTwo Producties.
A new concept for the Netherlands
The Luminiscence concept has already proven itself in several countries. The most innovative part is the projection-based show. This isn't new technology in itself (anymore). Several projection experiences featuring famous painters have already been launched in the Netherlands. The combination with a live orchestra and choir—and the historical narrative in the Oude Kerk—makes this a completely new, immersive experience for the audience.
The show control is top-notch; creating a projection that's perfectly suited to a church with so many corners, arches, and ornaments is a complex challenge. The sound technology, often taken for granted, also presents a challenge. A church naturally has a reverb. This show combines a live orchestra with loudspeaker sound effects and a voiceover that must remain clearly audible. This was achieved exceptionally well.
Boost for hotels and catering industry
The performance at the Oude Kerk lasts one hour, and there will be no catering at the venue itself. This presents opportunities for the surrounding hospitality industry, which is already seeing an increase in reservations.
Carolien Nederlof, one of the project leaders, sees various parties in Delft seeking to connect: "When the decision was made just before the summer holidays, I immediately contacted hotels. The response was very enthusiastic and resulted in a great partnership with the Museum Hotel Group. The Vermeer Centrum has also signed up, and we're selling tickets for them as well."
On the evening of the premiere, we met Michiel van der Schaaf of Delft Marketing, among others, who was very enthusiastic about the opportunities Luminiscence offers. "This is a blend of culture and technology. Delft, with its renowned university, is known for its technology, but Delft also has a rich cultural history; think of the painter Vermeer, for example. This combination truly suits Delft and sets a good example."
Church participates in the business case
This was also a special project for the "De Oude Kerk" location – and an opportunity to generate some additional income. Old monuments inevitably come with high maintenance costs. Carolien explains that the entrepreneurial spirit of De Oude Kerk was precisely what led to this choice of location: "The church was very enthusiastic and willing to make this event possible. One of the success factors was their willingness to participate in the success rate. That reduced the risk for us and helped us with the business case." With greater success, the church will also benefit more in this case.
More information: www.luminiscence.com/delft/
This performance brought back memories of an innovative project launched in Delft about 25 years ago: "Speaking Facades." In that project, too, the monument played a role as a storyteller. Back then, you walked around wearing a headset that activated as you approached the church (the Oude Kerk was played by Lex Goudsmit at the time). The beauty of good storytellers is that their stories resonate. The story behind Luminiscence was therefore very relatable to me.
Walter Jonker – Pretwerk.nl