European Science in the City Festival

Leiden2022

Leiden2022 set out to create a public festival alongside the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF), with the ambition of engaging as many curious minds as possible in science, knowledge, innovation, art, and discovery. XSAGA was commissioned to develop the creative concept and bring the festival to life, from design through to full production and execution.

For four days, the Pieterskerkplein—a key ESOF location in the heart of Leiden—was transformed into a vibrant science festival. The result was a diverse and engaging programme featuring mobile science trucks, hands-on workshops, and interactive experiences. Visitors could, for example, control a drone using only their brainwaves or take part in Freezing Physics, where spectacular experiments with liquid nitrogen brought science to life.The festival also welcomed renowned institutions and initiatives, including Naturalis Biodiversity Center, the Museum of Carcheology by Olaf Mooij, and the Hortus Botanicus cargo bike. From young children to lifelong learners, everyone had the opportunity to discover the excitement, creativity, and wonder of science.

"In a very short period of time, the XSAGA team created an amazing festival that perfectly embodied our core values: generous, creative, and accessible. In addition to developing the artistic and content-driven concept, they also took care of the entire production process.My personal highlight was the tour of the festival grounds with Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf, but this festival was truly designed for everyone with a curious mind!"

Meta Knol - director Leiden European City of Science 2022