Breda as a Global Stage for Leisure: Inspiring Opening of the World Leisure Congress 2025

Paul Depla: “Leisure is a Foundation for Community Spirit”

Mayor Paul Depla opened the congress with a warm welcome to all guests: “Welcome to our city of Breda, a warm and welcoming place where nearly 119,000 people live – and love life.” He emphasized Breda’s historical role as a cultural and political hub in the formation of the Netherlands, linking that legacy to the modern meaning of leisure.

“What few people know is that the roots of our way of life – and even of the Dutch royal family – lie here in Breda. The House of Nassau turned Breda into a true residential city, a place where kings and emperors felt at home. It gave rise to a culture that flourished in art, music, gastronomy, and celebration. Breda became a city where people from all walks of life came together, laying the foundation for a vibrant leisure society.”

Depla clearly embraced the essence of leisure: “As Aristotle once said: ‘The end of labour is to gain leisure.’ That ancient wisdom reminds us that leisure is not the opposite of work, but its very purpose.” He outlined how Breda integrates leisure into urban development, not only by stimulating housing but also by creating space for culture, entrepreneurship, and recreation.

“That’s why we consciously weave leisure into our spatial planning and policy frameworks. Together with partners such as Breda Marketing, the Entrepreneurship Fund, the retail sector, hospitality, hotels, and cultural organizations, we are shaping area profiles that ensure Breda remains an attractive and diverse city. Mayor Depla also has a clear goal in mind when it comes to attracting visitors "Our goal is clear: to create a city that invites people to visit Breda, stay longer, return more often – and feel inspired every time.”

Depla expressed pride in Breda’s recognition as the first National Park City in the Netherlands and the European Union. “That places us alongside cities like London and Adelaide. It’s a milestone not just for our city, but especially for its people – residents, entrepreneurs, and organizations who have worked together to make Breda greener and healthier.”

He also praised Breda Marketing for its new initiative: “We’ve transformed our tourist information point into the Explore Breda Store – a place that’s much more than just a source of information. It’s now a space for storytelling, inspiration, and encounters. Here, we bring people together and showcase what Breda has to offer. Because we believe that a strong leisure economy directly contributes to community well-being.”

Depla concluded with an invitation: “Breda is a city that embraces change while staying true to its roots. Take the time to meet our people, explore our city, and experience our leisure.”

Jorrit Snijder: “The World Needs Leisure”

Jorrit Snijder, President of the Executive Board of the organizing Breda University of Applied Sciences, began his speech with a personal reflection: “I always think of Winston Churchill when I enter this space. When he visited a university in 1946, he said: ‘I feel tremendous forces in this room.’ That’s exactly how I feel here, in this beautiful church.”

Snijder emphasized that leisure is not a luxury, but an essential part of human development. “The world needs leisure. But leisure also needs legitimacy.” And BUas has been working tirelessly on that for sixty years: “We’ve shown that leisure is not just a pastime, but a foundation upon which human potential is unlocked and better societies are built.”

He took the audience back to the 1970s, when BUas pioneered recreational studies. “Long before leisure was recognized as an academic field, we were already training professionals who understood the value of free time. Our collaboration with Tilburg University was groundbreaking even then.” But Snijder sees leisure as more than a field of study: “It’s a lens – a way of seeing – through which we better understand human behavior, social cohesion, and societal transformation.”

According to Snijder, academic leadership today is more than just transferring knowledge: “Universities must be guardians of critical thinking. We must educate professionals who can navigate complexity, question dominant narratives, and make ethically sound decisions.”

He highlighted the role of leisure in developing these skills: “Leisure enables you to think critically, appreciate differences, and embrace creativity as a form of progress. It’s a domain where culture, identity, and participation come together.”

Snijder concluded with a powerful message: “We don’t just study leisure – we legitimize its power to transform lives, communities, and societies. This is our foundation. This is our future.”

Marcel Bastiaansen: “Leisure as a Source of Reflection and Renewal”

Marcel Bastiaansen, lecturer at BUas and chair of the congress, brought a philosophical and historical dimension to his speech. “In ancient Greece, leisure was referred to asskole– the word we still hear in ‘school’. Leisure was not a luxury, but the cradle of reflection, dialogue, and democratic ideals.”

He argued that the congress returns to this original meaning of leisure: “Not as consumption, but as cultivation. Not as escape, but as engagement. In a world defined by speed, fragmentation, and distraction, we ask: what if leisure could once again be the source of societal renewal?”

Bastiaansen spoke proudly about the structure of the congress: “With a combination of high-end keynotes, parallel sessions, and informal poster presentations, we offer a platform for established scholars, early-career researchers, and professionals to share knowledge and inspire one another.”

He also emphasized the congress’s bridging function: “With an Industry Day, we build bridges between academia and practice. And with the legacy event, we hope to contribute to the further development of Breda as a leisure destination.”

Finally, Bastiaansen called for connection: “With coffee breaks, lunches, a conference dinner, and many moments to experience Breda, we offer plenty of opportunities to meet, connect, and enjoy together. Because that too is leisure – sharing meaningful moments.”