The festive season comes to life thanks to a special winter forest on the roof terrace of de Bijenkorf Amsterdam and in de Bijenkorf Eindhoven. The (most likely) smallest forest in town was created in cooperation with Staatsbosbeheer (the Dutch Forestry Commission). Visitors can leave a beautiful wish in one of the trees after buying a wishing ribbon. In doing so, de Bijenkorf raises funds for the work of NL Cares an organization dedicated to combatting loneliness in the Netherlands.

The Wishing Forest:

The Wishing Forest at de Bijenkorf Amsterdam will be open from the 12thof November in Amsterdam and in Eindhoven from the 13thof November until Christmas. At most sales counters in both stores, customers can buy a ribbon for €2.50 and hang it with a beautiful wish for someone else in one of the trees in the Wishing Forest. Just before Christmas, de Bijenkorf will make one of these wishes come true. The funds raised from the ribbons and a donation from de Bijenkorf will be gifted to NL Cares, which uses the money to fight loneliness in the Netherlands. Visitors can do a short walk in the forest, whilst listening to an audio tour. On Sundays there will be small performances from singer-songwriters and city poets, among others. The full program can be found here. The Wishing Forest is part of de Bijenkorf’s festive season campaign Amaze & Admire for which nature is the main inspiration.

Staatsbosbeheer (The Dutch Forestry Commission):

The trees in the forest were provided by Staatsbosbeheer, with whom de Bijenkorf has been working since this spring to save the wild bee in the Netherlands. After the 24thof December, the trees will be replanted, with the Bijenkorf doubling the number of trees. Staatsbosbeheer also provided fun and interesting facts about the smallest forest in town which can be listened to via the audio tour. 

de Bijenkorf Amsterdam, 5th floor (roof terrace), 12 November – 24 December
de Bijenkorf Eindhoven, 2nd floor (The Kitchen), 13 November – 24 December

The full programme can be found here. Naturally, all current Covid-19 regulations will be applied.