What does freedom mean to you? Freedom can mean the freedom to act, speak, and live authentically... The freedom from oppression, fear, and need... The freedom with others in our community, where coexistence and shared responsibility shape our daily lives... And freedom beyond ourselves—extending to future generations, ecosystems, and non-human life.

These dimensions of freedom are deeply connected but sometimes come into tension. How do we balance individual rights with collective well-being? How can we protect and expand freedom for all?

At Freedom Tours Wageningen, we explore these questions through interactive, co-created walking tours. Led by Wageningen residents from diverse backgrounds, our tours connect local histories and experiences with global struggles for freedom. They invite participants—residents, visitors, and school groups—to reflect on what freedom means in different contexts.

Building on Wageningen’s World War II legacy as a city of liberation, we explore the evolving meaning of freedom today. We highlight both the challenges and the community-led initiatives that strive to uphold rights and inclusion in the city.

At a time when freedoms are under threat globally and locally, Freedom Tours Wageningen offers an opportunity to learn, reflect, and discover ways to take action. Join us in rethinking and reclaiming freedom, together.

Our first tour route - 'Freedom through Gender and Queer Lenses' - is currently being co-created by our first group of guides/participants! What does freedom mean when it comes to gender and sexuality? For whom is freedom a given, and for whom is it a struggle? How have ideas about gender and sexuality evolved over time, and how do they shape our daily lives?

During this interactive walking tour, we explore freedom through the experiences of queer and gender-diverse communities. We highlight personal stories, historical developments, and contemporary challenges related to rights, identity, and inclusion. As we walk through Wageningen, we stop at locations that symbolize the fight for equal rights and the visibility of gender and sexual diversity.

This tour invites participants to reflect on how freedom is constantly fought for, challenged, and redefined. Through thought-provoking questions and open discussions, we explore how we can contribute to a society where everyone is free to be themselves.

The tour will officially launch on Saturday, 28 June 2025, and we aim to make it a lasting part of our offerings.

Join us, walk with us, and discover new perspectives on freedom!

Visit our blog to hear more from tour co-creators about the process, week by week!

At Freedom Tours Wageningen, Wageningen residents co-create our tour routes and lead our tours. Inspired by the methodology behind the Migrantour Utrecht interactive guided walking tour, each tour route reflects on the complexity of freedom through the rich diversity of stories, experiences and perspectives found in our town. 

Here's how the 4-month tour co-creation process unfolds: 

• Step 1 - Reflect: The journey begins with participants reflecting—both individually and collectively—on their own freedoms. They consider: what freedoms they value most; the constraints or barriers they face; and the responsibilities that come with the freedoms they have. This step sets the stage for deeper personal and group exploration.

• Step 2 - Explore Historical & Social Contexts: Through a series of talks, workshops, and excursions, participants explore freedom in both historical and contemporary contexts. By connecting this learning with their own lived experiences, they collectively identify key themes and stops that will shape the tour route.

• Step 3 - Dig Deeper: Participants dive deeper into the themes and stops identified in Step 2. They gather diverse local stories—interviewing residents, researching archives, and uncovering hidden narratives. These stories enrich the tour, strengthening connections to Wageningen’s people, history, and environment.

• Step 4 - Guide Training & Practice: Participants are trained in key skills, including effective communication, group engagement, and interactive storytelling. Afterward, they practice leading the tour, gaining confidence by guiding different groups and refining the route based on feedback.

• Step 5 - Let's Walk!  You can book our tours throughout the year. Join us on this journey to explore freedom—what it means, how it’s lived, and how it connects us all.