Efteling Launches Podcast Series “Het Geheim van de Efteling”
Paul de Leeuw explores the world full of wonders together with his guests.
© Photo: Efteling
(eap) To mark its 74th birthday this year, the Dutch theme park Efteling has announced its first podcast series. In “Het Geheim van de Efteling” (“The Secret of Efteling”), Dutch presenter Paul de Leeuw takes listeners on a special journey through the park’s Fairytale Forest together with designers, creatives and Efteling experts. The seven-part podcast series begins with the origins of the amusement park and then focuses on memories of past visits, experiencing and immersing oneself in the world of Efteling, as well as the future of the Fairytale Forest. Het Geheim van de Efteling will be available on podcast platforms from 10 June and can also be watched on YouTube with English subtitles.
“For many people, Efteling is a place for togetherness and creating memories,” says de Leeuw. “It’s incredibly fun and inspiring to learn so many new things about the Fairytale Forest. Everything I know now adds something extra when I walk through the park. I’m very curious to see how listeners will experience the podcast.”
Efteling’s Fairytale Forest is a place that brings generations together. © Photo: Efteling
The history of Efteling dates back to 1950. At that time, local mayor Van der Heijden founded the Efteling Nature Park Foundation in order to promote tourism in the Noord-Brabant region. Together with technician Peter Reijnders, the idea emerged of creating a Fairytale Forest in the heart of nature. Designer Anton Pieck created the settings for ten fairytales, which Reijnders brought to life through technology, light, sound and motion. The Fairytale Forest first opened on 31 May 1952. Today, guests here discover 31 fairytales along enchanted paths surrounded by water features – amid 5,000 different trees, 90 bird and 200 mushroom species.
The episodes and guests at a glance:
Episode 1: “Oorsprong en toekomst van het Sprookjesbos / The History of the Fairytale Forest” with Jeroen Verheij (designer at Efteling) and Francine Oonk (great-granddaughter of Anton Pieck).
Episode 2: “Natuur in het Sprookjesbos / Nature in the Fairytale Forest” with Mario Dieltjes (landscape manager at Efteling) and Arjan Postma (forester).
Episode 3: “Sprookjes in het Sprookjesbos / Fairytales in the Fairytale Forest” with Patrick van den Nieuwenhuizen (set dresser at Efteling) and Kevin Hassing (children’s author).
Episode 4: “Muziek in het Sprookjesbos / Music in the Fairytale Forest” with René Merkelbach (in-house composer at Efteling) and Francis van Broekhuizen (opera singer).
Episode 5: “Herinneringen in het Sprookjesbos / Memories of the Fairytale Forest” with Sander de Bruijn (lead designer at Efteling) and Margriet Sitskoorn (neuropsychologist).
Episode 6: “Dwalen in het Sprookjesbos / Wandering Through the Fairytale Forest” with Ivo Südmeier (landscape architect at Efteling) and Fenne Roefs (behavioural psychologist specialising in wayfinding).
Episode 7: “De toekomst van het Sprookjesbos / The Future of the Fairytale Forest” with Koen Sanders (Director Product, Market and Image at Efteling) and Deborah Nas (future expert and professor at TU Delft). ■
