Zwolle through Louis’s eyes: “A city in the palm of your hand”
- Theatre
- Education in Art
Zwolle will always be special to Louis Letitre, an Artist Educator student in Theatre & Media, because it’s the place where he discovered his own style and interests. “There is an active cultural sector, from art students to skating graffiti artists. In a big city, I wouldn’t be able to see the forest for the trees,” he says. Zwolle offers him just enough room to develop himself, without being overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of a big city.
Originally from Wezep, Louis decided to move to Zwolle in 2019 for more autonomy. He began the English Education course at Windesheim, but in the end, it wasn’t his calling. However, Louis soon found his niche in Zwolle’s vibrant cultural sector: “I’ve been participating in acting and performing my whole life, but it didn’t feel right to do that full-time. Since I also badly wanted to teach, the Artist Educator in Theatre & Music course quickly became my first choice.”
Zwolle: a town with all the qualities of a city
For Louis, Zwolle is not just a place where he’s studying. “I quickly felt a connection with the city,” he says. For him, the balance between small scale and urban character is what makes Zwolle so unique. “It feels a bit like a city in the palm of your hand,” he says. The compact nature of the town means events and meeting places are easily accessible, which has allowed him to find his social circle easily. “You often come across people you know, which adds some fun spontaneity to your day,” he says.
It is so easy to build your network and collaborate with others. If I want to start a project, I have a group of people around me to experiment with. How great is that!”
Zwolle’s creative scene: a breeding ground for talent
As an active member of the skating community, Louis quickly met other creative minds. “There is so much talent in the community here: graphic designers, illustrators, musicians, you name it. There’s a lot that comes from their own ideas and initiatives, simply because there is the creative urge for it. This could be anything from jam sessions, slam poetry evenings, or initiatives such as MetroPolis and De Fakkelteit, where young creatives can showcase their work. “It is so easy to build your network and collaborate with others. If I want to start a project, I have a group of people around me to experiment with. How great is that!”
The city’s unique charm
“I’ve always had the sense that Zwolle is not really known as a university town. Which is a shame, because there are so many cool things to do in Zwolle!” Louis sees a lot of charm in the small scale and friendly atmosphere of the town. His favorite place is Het Engelse Werk, a small wood along the IJssel River where he often goes to write and get inspired. Louis also has a soft spot for the old city centre, with its winding, cobblestone streets and the iconic Peperbus: “The Peperbus is our large cathedral tower – which is a useful landmark if you ever get lost in the city,” he says with a wink.
A well kept secret
What should non-Zwolle residents know about Zwolle? “Zwolle is not in Groningen, as those from the Randstad sometimes think,” he jokes. But, Louis says, what Zwolle really should be known for are “the possibilities to develop yourself, and the willpower of the close-knit artistic community nearby. That’s truly why I love Zwolle so much.”
