De Nieuwe Kerk is closed from 23 June until 15 September

From Monday 23 July until Saturday 15 September, De Nieuwe Kerk is closed due to maintenance, the official commemoration of 70 years of the World Council of Churches, and the build-up and installation of the upcoming exhibition The life of Buddha, the Path to the Present. You can visit this exceptional and inspiring exhibition from Sunday 16 September.

70 years of the World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches was established in Amsterdam on 23 August 1948. Today, 340 religious denominations around the world are members of this organisation with some 500 million members in more than 110 countries. The religious ceremony took place in De Nieuwe Kerk. 70 years later, on Thursday 23 August, the World Council of Churches is celebrating this jubilee, once again in De Nieuwe Kerk (private event).

Exhibition The life of Buddha, the Path to the Present
On 24 August, build-up and installation begins for the major winter exhibition The life of Buddha, the Path to the Present – for which the Dalai Lama is coming to the Netherlands. The doors open to the public on Sunday morning 16 September. [more info]

Maintenance
Maintenance begins on Monday 23 July and continues until Sunday 19 August. The maintenance includes the restoration of the stained glass windows, paint work in the wings and the removal of a small amount of asbestos in rooms not open to visitors. The asbestos panels were installed in the 1970’s, as insulation behind the electrical cabinets in technical rooms and in attics. On the basis of research, carried out by certified experts, it has been concluded that there are no health risks to visitors and personnel.