In Freedom Ville, we are dedicated to nurturing a vibrant community, where individuals of all backgrounds, ages, and talents not only exist but learn to flourish.

Our mission is simple: to craft a more beautiful world that embraces everyone. We firmly believe that through unified teamwork, we can sprinkle specks of beauty across our planet.

In our journey, we explore different avenues of connection, embracing the arts and the wonders of nature. While we may not physically reside together permanently, our commitment to fostering community transcends boundaries. By working together with various volunteer teams, hosting artist residencies, organizing rejuvenating retreats, and hosting group gatherings, we strengthen the bonds of community that define our village.

Moreover, through our art and nature foundation, we forge lasting bonds with those who share our vision, inviting them to invest in the regeneration of our land or support our artistic endeavors, including the development of our open-air museum. Together, we plant seeds of hope and growth, nurturing a legacy that will continue to bloom for generations to come.

Our Vision

The world is our home. The sky is the limit. Ourย vision is to revive the village of Malhadil. To create a piece of paradise called Freedom Ville. An environment where people can live free. Our family permanent, and our guests temporarily. For holidays, events or special retreats. A place where we live Independent of institutions and supported by the community. A place where we can explore ourselves and all interconnectivity. Break through programs and patterns that create imaginary boundaries. We want to create a space where nature thrives and people smile. Where life comes in first, and not in second place.ย 

Values

Volunteers

Throughout the year, we host several periods dedicated to volunteer projects. During the summer season, we seek enthusiastic volunteers to assist with the hospitality aspect of our village and tend to the gardens. In the wintertime, our focus shifts towards maintaining accommodations, advancing village developments, and nurturing the land.

In exchange for four days of dedicated work, we offer nourishing food, refreshing drinks, comfortable accommodation, endless inspiration, and an abundance of love.

If you’re eager to be a part of one of our volunteer projects, we invite you to apply by sending us an email with your relevant work experience, availability and motivation. Your participation promises not only meaningful contributions but also unforgettable experiences filled with camaraderie and purpose.

Artists in residency

Art is a vital cornerstone of our lives and the very essence of Freedom Ville’s identity. We aspire to create a sanctuary where art intertwines with nature. Hence, we extend a heartfelt invitation to artists from all disciplines. Immerse yourselves in nature’s embrace, draw inspiration from the surrounding environment, shift your perspectives, and infuse Malhadil with your unique creativity. It’s a place where nobody departs without leaving a trail of love behind.

If you feel called to participate in our artist-in-residency program, we encourage you to complete the application form below. Join us in co-creating a space where artistic expression flourishes and the beauty of nature is celebrated in every stroke and melody.

Foundation

In addition to our commercial endeavors, we are committed to investing in the regeneration of our land at Freedom Ville. Our efforts include clearing out the forest and reintroducing native trees to restore the land to its original habitat. We’ve established a small-scale farm to sustain our restaurant, planted vineyards, and are creating a natural backdrop for our open-air museum. Collaborating with artists from around the globe, we aim to provide a permanent home for art within our village.

Your support, whether big or small, is invaluable to us. By donating to one of our art or planting projects, you become an integral part of our mission to restore, revive, and replant the seeds necessary for an eco-village to thrive.

You can support us in small and in big numbers by donating to one of our art or planting projects. Together we restore, revive and replant all the seeds needed for a eco village to thrive.
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Malhadil: Where art seamlessly merges with nature.

Our history

Change the Game

We are an entrepreneurial family tribe from Amsterdam with four kids. For more than 12 years we have been working in the hospitality business in our beautiful city, creating unique meeting places on special locations and organizing uncountable events. The Covid crisis gave us the wake up call we needed, to organize and prioritize our life in a different way. We decided to sell our businesses and house in Amsterdam and pregnant of number four, start a new life in Portugal. A life that is further away from the system and closer to nature. A life in which we still have space to manifest our dreams independent of banks or financial investors. A life that is closer to our children, closer to nature and closer to our hearts.ย 

Business in amsterdam

Canvas, Volkshotel

Our first cafรฉ, restaurant, exhibition room and club
We started our first cafรฉ, restaurant, exhibition room and club on the top floor of the old newspaper building of the Volkskrant on the Wibautstraat in Amsterdam in 2007. This started of as a temporary project. Thijs won a pitch with his business plan Canvas to start a place that would feel as aย  living room for the artists that filled all the former offices of the building and connect them to the neighbors and visitors. This building and the other 2 buildings that were part of the old newspaper triangle were on the demolition list and planned to exist no longer than 7 years. When we started the street we were located, was still considered to be the ugliest street of the city. The surrounding neighbourhood was not very attractive, so urban planners were already preparing development plans to give this area a facelift in looks and reputation. We, among other hospitality projects that followed us, like club TROUW and restaurant BAUT, played an important role in this pre-development phase, attracting a lot of locals and international people to the neighborhood.
During these crisis years, development plans changed and new owners decided to renovate in stead of demolish the buildings in the newspaper triangle. Giving new life to the old buildings.
Canvas finally got future perspective and we became partner in the new project. Together we created the Volkshotel, with Canvas, Doka and Werkplaats as the F&B outlets in which we became partner until the end of 2015.

Amsterdam roest

An edgy urban oasis with a city beach

In 2010 we were asked to start a new hospitality business on the old industrial island of Oostenburg in the center of the city. A beautiful blindspot that due to its former industrial function, had not been very accessible to the public for years. We negotiated favourable rental terms in exchange for the commitment to put a spotlight on this island in preparation of the urban development that was planned after 2018.
We immediately fell in love with the place and created Roest. An edgy urban oasis with a city beach, self service concept and an overload of cultural programming in the warehouse and cafe.
Roest, this child of the financial crisis was blessed with a lot of room for experiment from the municipality, and an exceptional amount of space for a location as central as this one. Roest became a playground and hangout for all ages, and a breeding ground for talent and creativity. It was a place where crazy ideas found a home and nothing seemed impossible. In the 9 years that we have been operational we organized and realized more than we could have ever expected. Festivals, theater shows, classical concerts, dance events, markets, corporate events, sports events, club nights, film nights, waterpistol and snowballs fights, and many more events. Roest became widely know for its vibe, diversity and uniqueness in and over borders. It was a magical place during a magical time, where together with all our guests, staff, creatives, partners, program makers and contributors we created memories for life and a little piece of history for the city of Amsterdam.
We were in the middle of the renovation for re-opening when we decided we had to let Roest go.

Vrijland Festival

Dutch liberation festival

In 2012 we started with a new Dutch liberation festival on the 5th of May. The day we celebrate the liberation from the second world war. Even though this day is only a banking holiday every one in five years, we decided a cause a great as freedom deserved some special attention. We organized Vrijland twice on Roest’s location and after that we moved to IJburg. After the last edition in 2017 we weren’t able to arrange new permits for a suitable location within the city of Amsterdam. So let’s seen if, when and where another edition of Vrijland might appear.

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Re-Bell shop

A sustainable fashion shop

In 2015 Nadia started a sustainable fashion shop with her friend and designer Blazinbell. Bell has been a fashion pioneer for over 15 years. She mastered the technique of patchwork, because of the ease in which you can recycle pieces of fabric. Patchwork and the use of recycled denim, became her trademark has the famous colored trackpants, probably the most known and popular item. Nadia was so inspired by Bell’s artistic and sustainable vision about fashion that the started working together. After a year of traveling around with their Mercedes Hanomag camper shop, they decided it was time for a real home base. Re-bell Shop was born on the Czaar Peterstraat in December 2016. A beautiful street in Amsterdam with specialty shops only. On the top floor of the shop was a atelier where all the clothes for the home brand Blazinbell were produced. Alongside the shop became known for the customized orders, funky repairs, and beautiful pre selection of several conscious fashion brands. The shop will close by the end of January 2023. The partners decided not to push on more sales, but to shift focus to sharing knowledge about sustainable fashion and the art of sewing, in workshops. Both online and offline.

De Quarantine

A little deli shop with our own Sangria line

In 2018 we started a small cafe restaurant Bombarie around the corner from Roest. It was situated on the ground floor of the former Quarantine building next to the Lloyd hotel. Thijs’ parents had squatted this building in 1981 when his mother was pregnant with him. So when this place was for sale, we jumped right in. After the lockdowns we transformed Bombarie into the Quarantine. A little deli shop with our own Sangria line and regular dissident parties. Luckily we were able to sell this soon after we made the decision to leave Amsterdam. We had our last party on the day the C-pass was introduced into the Dutch hospitality business. Some things happen for a reason.

RETREATS

Freedom Ville, Malhadil serves as an idyllic setting for hosting retreats. Witnessing the emergence of a sense of community among individuals united by a shared purpose fills us with joy. The energy, synergy, and unity generated during these group endeavors are incredibly potent, inspiring us to prioritize retreats in our program. Whether initiated by our own team or arranged by external collaborators, we eagerly embrace all opportunities for collaboration to curate a transformative program centered around self-discovery, enjoyment, and connection in our village.

On a village-wide scale, we aspire to showcase to the world the profound impact that community spirit can have. Together, we are crafting a future where collective efforts shape positive change.

For more details regarding possibilities and pricing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email. We look forward to exploring how we can collaborate to create memorable and enriching experiences for all involved.

[email protected]

The quaint village street of Freedom Ville can comfortably host groups of up to 45 people. Our diverse range of accommodations offers an array of experiences, catering to various preferences and budgets. From lavish hotel rooms and apartments to cozy dormitories and charming pool pods, there’s something to suit every taste.

At the heart of our village lies the Taberna, a communal hub featuring a restaurant, bar, and library. Adjacent to the Taberna, a spacious pool measuring 15-20 meters invites relaxation and rejuvenation.

Nestled amidst 14 hectares of picturesque land, our location is designed to captivate and welcome guests from all walks of life. This vast expanse of natural beauty provides ample opportunity to reconnect with nature and integrate its soothing presence into your program.

The Freedom Ville team is dedicated to ensuring your experience is seamless and memorable. Whether you have inquiries about accommodations, facilities, or catering options, we’re here to assist. Moreover, we’re delighted to collaborate with you in crafting a tailor-made program for your audience, drawing upon our extensive network of local and international professionals. Feel free to reach out to us for further information and personalized assistance. We’re committed to making your stay with us exceptional.

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