Tis maar eens per jaar

What if one single day each year could capture the soul of an entire city? ’Tis Maar Eens Per Jaar takes the viewer to Leiden, a historic Dutch city where, on October 2 and 3, the liberation of 1574 is both commemorated and celebrated. Through the eyes of four residents, the film explores why the Relief of Leiden, 450 years later, remains a deeply felt tradition — and how this celebration makes history tangible in everyday city life. The Relief of Leiden dates back to 1574, when the city was freed from Spanish occupation after a months long siege, during a decisive phase of the Eighty Years’ War. This moment ensured the city’s survival and laid the foundation for a lasting tradition of freedom, resilience, and community spirit. More than a commemoration, the Relief of Leiden is a living ritual. Through a rich interplay of tradition, personal memories, and contemporary urban life, the film reveals how history in Leiden does not stand still, but is re experienced, reshaped, and given new meaning each year. ’Tis Maar Eens Per Jaar attracted over 10,000 cinema visitors and was awarded the Crystal Film, a rare distinction for a Dutch documentary. Since 2019, the celebration has been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands and was nominated in 2026 for UNESCO’s global list. A tangible symbol of its international reach is a Delft Blue KLM miniature house: since 2025, a historic Leiden building has been traveling the world, carrying the city’s story far beyond its borders.