“Draadje met een praatje” in Aalsmeer

community art project cross stitch at boat

In Aalsmeer, we’re creating a giant stitched artwork that celebrates both the town’s famous flowers and its deep-rooted sense of community.

Already hundreds of people participated in this project and you still have an opportunity to join. Check Cultuurpuntaalsmeer for more information and dates.

Once finished, the final piece will be proudly displayed at the new entrance of the Flower Art Museum.

Stitching Aalsmeer’s flower history

Textile artist Gerda Z. Leeffers was invited to design a project inspired by the floral history of Aalsmeer. The very first flowers she encountered there were narcissus blooming in publicly maintained gardens—an introduction that shaped her experience of the town.

During her research, she discovered something equally striking: the many people who have quietly and consistently contributed to local life. From volunteers caring for the historical gardens and the traditional flour mill to members of the stamp collectors’ club, their dedication forms an essential part of the community.

She also learned that nearly 98% of the world’s lilac production still comes from the small islands of the Westeinderplassen. This long-standing tradition is increasingly under pressure. Lilac cultivation is highly labour-intensive, and many farms are closing due to a lack of successors from younger generations.

At the same time, some abandoned islands are being returned to nature. Through the efforts of Stichting Bovenlanden, these areas are now able to support the development of unique flora and fauna.

In response, Leeffers designed a series of monumental stitched flowers that reflect not only Aalsmeer’s botanical heritage but also its strong sense of community and tradition.

Aalsmeer's Flower History by Gerda Z. Leeffers — Aalsmeer’s Flower History by Gerda Z. Leeffers

The work will be installed beside the staircase at the main entrance of the Flower Art Museum.

Stitchamos artist impression aalsmeer def copyright Gerda Leeffers — Artist impression of design for the new entrance of the Flower Art Museum in Aalsmeer

Visitors will enter alongside narcissus, symbolically connecting Aalsmeer to villages across the Netherlands. Further along, lilacs appear in a variety of colours and forms, referencing the region’s historic cultivation. At the heart of the installation, a rose represents the social heart of the village, positioned at the average height of an adult’s chest. Standing before it, visitors will find themselves surrounded by its petals—an immersive gesture that evokes being embraced by the community.

The design also incorporates strawberries (aardbeien), representing the entrepreneurial spirit of the village. Traditionally, strawberries were cultivated beneath other crops, allowing farmers to achieve a double harvest—an inventive practice that reflects Aalsmeer’s history of resourcefulness.

Finally, dahlias, along with insects and animals, point to both Aalsmeer’s past and its evolving future, where culture, nature, and collective care remain closely intertwined.