Saturday, November 22, 2025: Volunteers – Thank You Day South

South Volunteer Thank-You Day 2025. Another very special celebration.

The Zuid district, together with the Amsterdam Volunteer Center, is once again organizing a special Thank You Day for all volunteers from Zuid. This unique event traditionally takes place in the upper hall of the magnificent Concertgebouw. ​​This year, it will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

The program includes a lecture by Marcel van Engelen, author of the book “De Stad” (The City), and concludes with a special performance by Cor Bakker and Maarten Heijmans. They will perform part of their show “Ramses enzo,” a tribute to Ramses Shaffy. Alongside Shaffy’s well-known work, many of his lesser-known gems will be featured. Songs by Maarten van Roozendaal and Jacques Brel, among others, will also be featured.

The program looks like this:

12:30 PM: Doors open

12:30-13:15: Walk-in with lunch in the Foyers Small Hall

1:15 PM: Hall doors open and first gong sounds

1:30 PM: Welcome by Flora Breemer (South district council)

1:35 PM: Marcel van Engelen – The City

2:05 PM: Cor Bakker and Maarten Heijmans – Ramses and such!

3:00 PM Closing & drinks

About Marcel van Engelen

Marcel van Engelen is a Dutch journalist and author. His books include “De Gelukszoeker” (The Fortune Seeker) and “Het Kasteel van Elmina” (The Castle of Elmina). In May 2024, he published “De Stad” : The Story of Amsterdam from 1980 to Today , a historical overview and narrative of urban development in Amsterdam after World War II, particularly from around 1980 onward, and the ideas and people who shaped and underpinned the major changes of that period. At the “Bijdankdag Zuid” (Thanksgiving Day South), he will discuss the history of De Pijp and the Zuidas district.

About Cor Bakker and Maarten Heijmans

Pianist Cor Bakker and actor/singer Maarten Heijmans both share a special bond with Ramses Shaffy. Bakker has had the honor of accompanying Ramses on his piano several times, and Heijmans won a Golden Calf for his role as Shaffy in the TV series  Ramses . Bakker and Heijmans met during the presentation of the book containing all of Ramses Shaffy’s songs and immediately connected through their shared love of Ramses’ oeuvre. There’s no duo more suited to a musical tribute! Starting in January 2026, they’ll be touring the country with this performance. They’ll give a preview at the Thank You Day in the South.

Register via this link. 

Please note: everyone must register separately! Introductions are not permitted.

Please note: This event is only for volunteers who live or volunteer in Amsterdam Zuid. Photos and videos will be taken during the event. If you object to this, please inform the photographers. The personal data you provide will only be used to send information about this event and will then be destroyed.