Delft, 21st May 2025 – On the eve of the fourteenth edition of the Delft Fringe Festival, festival director Roel Funcken announces that he will be handing over his position after this edition. Under his inspiring leadership and vision, the Delft Fringe Festival grew from a local amateur theatre festival to the presentation location for new makers in the performing arts over the past twelve years. Now that the Delft Fringe Festival is supported for several years by the Performing Arts Fund and the municipality of Delft for the period 2025-2028, Roel sees his task as accomplished.
“I look back on the past twelve years with great gratitude. Together with a team of passionate colleagues, we have connected a new generation of performing artists with residents and visitors of Delft. I was given the opportunity to become festival director at the age of 24 and since then, ‘giving opportunities’ has been central to my work. Opportunities for new makers, but also for the public and my colleagues. Based on my conviction that you cannot do without partners as a festival organisation, we have sought collaboration with (the municipality of) Delft and numerous cultural and social organisations in recent years. In this way, we have been able to further increase the impact of our activities in recent years. Delft Fringe Festival is rock solid and on the map, I am very proud of that. I am confidently making way for new energy.”
Corné Ran, Chairman of the Supervisory Board: “Roel was the driving force, the visionary brain and the passionate connector behind the Delft Fringe Festival. Under his leadership, the festival grew into a leading platform for new makers and innovative performing arts, with Delft not only as the backdrop, but also as the beating heart. His ability to recognize and develop talent extended not only to the new makers on stage, but also to the many employees behind the scenes. He leaves behind a solid foundation on which to build further. His infectious enthusiasm and tireless energy have permanently enriched the Delft Fringe Festival – our sincere thanks for that.”
Roel Funcken will stay until the end of 2025 and, together with artistic director Tamara Griffioen, will still be responsible for the development and implementation of the planned activities. After the festival, the Supervisory Board will look for a suitable successor and invites interested parties to visit the festival from 27th May to 8th June 2025.
