Entertainment · Music · 1 hr ago
Limburg to study Pinkpop’s bid for intangible heritage status
Limburg’s Pinkpop festival could gain heritage status after the province’s council backed a motion to explore the idea.
The province will study whether the festival can join the Dutch inventory of intangible heritage, and the study must be completed within six months.
Pinkpop began in 1970 in Landgraaf and is listed by Guinness World Records as the longest-running annual festival.
A place on the Dutch inventory is the first step toward a possible nomination for UNESCO’s international intangible heritage list.
The festival’s supporters say it is a local tradition that connects generations and gives the region international attention.
The process could take years, and there will be no changes for festivalgoers, performers or staff at upcoming editions.
Limburg’s provincial council has backed a motion to study whether Pinkpop can be included on the Netherlands’ intangible heritage inventory.
The study will also assess support for a possible future nomination to UNESCO’s international intangible heritage list.
The motion passed with a two-thirds majority, according to NOS.
Pinkpop director Tirsa Creusen called the plan a symbolic declaration of love for the festival.
The heritage process could take years and would not change upcoming editions of the festival.
- Who
- Limburg’s provincial government will study the proposal; the motion was submitted by the VVD faction.
- What
- The province will assess whether Pinkpop can join the Dutch intangible heritage inventory and whether it could later be nominated for UNESCO’s international list.
- When
- The provincial council voted on the motion on the evening before NOS published its report on 7 November 2026. The study is to take place within six months, according to NU.nl.
- Where
- Limburg, the Dutch province where Pinkpop is held in Landgraaf.
- Why
- The motion says Pinkpop connects generations, creates opportunities for businesses and gives Limburg international recognition.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pinkpop was first held.
Pinkpop was added to the Guinness World Records list as the longest-running annual festival.
NU.nl reported that Limburg would study the festival’s potential Dutch intangible heritage status and a possible future UNESCO nomination.
Limburg’s provincial council passed the motion with a two-thirds majority, according to NOS.
- First held
- 1970
- Location
- Landgraaf, Limburg
- Council vote
- Two-thirds majority
- Study deadline
- Within six months, according to NU.nl
- Dutch inventory
- More than 400 forms of intangible heritage are listed
2 sources
What people are saying
We are proud of our roots in Limburg, it is very beautiful to see that the love is mutual. We see it as a symbolic declaration of love.