Language adventures for 1,100 ‘Kletskoppen’ in Nijmegen

We look back on a fantastic 22 February, that welcomed no fewer than 1,100 visitors - children aged 2 to 12 and their (grand)parents - who immersed themselves in the world of language.

Throughout the library, children discovered in a playful way how language works. At the science market and in the language lab, they experimented with words and sounds, used an eye tracker to see where their eyes move while reading, and even stepped into a virtual reality world. In doing so, they experienced firsthand how researchers study language: by exploring, testing and discovering for themselves.

Escape and poetry

One of the highlights was a visit from children’s author Jacques Vriens. He spoke about his books, read aloud, and inspired young audiences with stories including De Bende van de Korenwolf. A thrilling language escape room was created around his book Kermiskind, where children worked together to solve puzzles and language riddles in order to escape. For the youngest visitors, there was the visual, wordless and musical performance The Little Polar Bear, based on the picture book by Anna Llenas, a poetic experience about emotions and friendship.

In the Kids Only Area (no parents allowed!), children aged 8 to 12 explored language independently through games and creative challenges. They built their own film set, took a seat in the Language Cinema, and tackled an escape box full of language puzzles developed in collaboration with the Regional Archives Nijmegen.

About Kletskoppen Festival

The Kletskoppen Festival is a collaboration between the Max Planck Instituut voor Psycholinguïstiek, Radboud Universiteit and Bibliotheek Gelderland Zuid. Thanks to the dedication of researchers, volunteers, artists, writers and crew members, we could celebrate a day full of curiosity, fun and discovery. With such an incredible turnout, the festival certainly calls for a sequel: April 1st Kletskoppen visits library Overvecht in Utrecht, and in two years the next big Kletskoppen Festival will take place!

Photos by Marcel Krijgsman