A Warm Night for Charity
The cold December wind blew gently across Zwolle's canals, but there was little sign of it in the heart of the city. The beating heart of Serious Request 2024 was a sparkling spectacle of light and sound, where thousands of people had gathered to make a difference together.
Exciting beats resounded on the stage, while DJs and artists warmed up the crowd with music and inspiring words. The Peperbus towered stately above the revelry, its illuminated clock a silent witness to the night's action. The bridges and quays were decorated with lights, and the reflections on the water seemed to make the cityscape even more magical.
On the square in front of the Glass House, people with donations, stories and inexhaustible energy gathered together to raise money for charity. Children gave their saved coins, companies offered big cheques and Zwolle residents came together in a heartwarming wave of solidarity.
Above it all, beams of light shot into the sky, like beacons of hope, recalling what Serious Request is all about: standing together for those who need help. The night would be long, but no one thought of sleeping. Zwolle was shining, not just because of the lights, but because of the strength of its people.
My name is Jan Willem Oldenbeuving, living in Zwartsluis. I have been photographing seriously since 2019 and will graduate from the Dutch Academy for Image Creation in January 2023. I mainly photograph Landscapes and urban architecture. Besides free work in nature and city work, I.. Read more…