It all starts this weekend: the official opening of Leeuwarden-Fryslân European Capital of Culture. What will the Fryske Akademy organize for visitors, for researchers and culture lovers in 2018?

Beautiful language initiatives flourish in our courtyard, such as a series of lectures on animal language, a literary walking tour, and folktales in all languages spoken in Leeuwarden. An exhibition of maps in the courtyard tells a fascinating story about our province. Our citizen scientist groups create a cycling route around the old Middelzee, while regional languages and dialects of the Netherlands have our attention on 8 and 9 June.

Tonight we are off with three Fryske Akademy scientists who talk about the things they are concerned with in their research, and why they think that's so important.

• Read further: Our activities in Leeuwarden-Fryslân 2018