First day
open to visitors

On saturday the 31st of August we openend our new doors to visitors for the first time. At 10 a.m. there was a line of no less then 500 people. We received them with cake and live music by the Earthquake Band. In the first weekend we welcomed almost 5600 visitors.

 Watch the aftermovie of the first day 

Rij eerste bezoekers
Edwin van Huis opening Naturalis

The show
official opening

On thursday the 28th of August we hosted two hundred invited quests for the official opening show in our brand new building. The show existed of speeches and live music and dance by local artists, throughout atrium. Curious about the beautiful words of the speakers? Their speeches are available here. The outfits where designed by Iris van Herpen. Her designs are also permanently visible in the new museum.

 Watch the aftermovie with Dutch audio 

 See the line up of speakers and artists from Leiden

Openingsshow Naturalis
External video URL
Dansers opening Naturalis