After Celebrating our 5th anniversary last year, we got to thinking… what now? We looked at our previous programs, we looked at each other, we looked at the world (yikes…) and wondered were do we belong in all of this.  Join us as we search a sense of belonging through stories, comedy and music in our temporary culture hub ‘De Werkplaats’.

Belonging noun

a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group and having a good relationship with the other members of the group because they welcome you and accept you: A sense of belonging is one of humanity's most basic needs (Example)

HOMESICK | HALIL CALISKAN

Halil Caliskan’s debut hour, Homesick, is a raw and unapologetic exploration of life abroad, blending sharp observations, witty stories and dark political satire. As a rising Turkish talent in the English comedy scene, Halil tackles identity crises, Amsterdam’s infamous coffeeshop culture, encounters with Dutch gurus during psychedelic retreats and everything in between. His deadpan humour and fearless delivery take the audience on a thought-provoking journey through the highs and lows of his experience, offering a bold, captivating yet funny take on what it means to be far from home. Halil brings a clown's sensitivity to his show: playful, unpredictable, and emotionally exposed.

Halil Caliskan; born in the late 80s to an immigrant Albanian father and Bulgarian-Turkish mother in Ottoman’s first capital Bursa, Turkiye, Halil gradually made his way to Istanbul and to Europe following his ancestors’ footsteps, but this time with relevant papers and permits. He quit his decade-long consulting career after a burnout, took over a pizzeria in Amsterdam, fell into a dark depression during covid lockdowns and financial struggles, all of which he overcame through writing and humour, by turning his tragedy into comedy—which became his full-time profession and passion since 2022.
Living in Europe for a decade has shaped Halil’s humour, making it a metaphorical bridge between East and West, like his hometown Istanbul. He has performed over 200 mostly sold-out shows, including festivals like Edinburgh and Barcelona Fringe, and is well received by audiences across the world for his playful deadpan style, absurd stories, and disarming honesty.

View the full festival program >

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