The Maas and Waal Rivers in Pictures
Three photographers capture the identity and contemporary life of the Land van Maas en Waal as it relates to water. They all have a special connection to the region.
The photos will be exhibited and published starting in the summer of 2026. More information will follow.
Below, the photographers talk about their connection to the Maas and the Waal rivers and how they approach their assignment.
Annie van Gemert (Nijmegen) - “Portrait of Batenburg”
As a photographer, I find Batenburg quite special. It’s a small town on the Meuse River with a rich history and a population of just over 600. The old buildings and quiet streets give the village a unique atmosphere. In the past, people here lived much more closely together. Back then, the church was a gathering place. Now it’s mainly used for concerts, parties, and weddings. Farm life has also changed and become less widespread.
In 2026, I’m exploring what still brings people together. Think of carnival, neighborhood parties, concerts, or small-scale events. I want to show how modern residents live in this historic setting and the river landscape. That’s why I’m creating family and group portraits—in people’s homes, on the street, and out in the countryside.
Marcel van de Bergh (Zaltbommel) - “Living on and with the dike”
I grew up on the dike in Appeltern. To me, the dike is more than just a strip of land that protects us from the water. It always feels like the wind is blowing hard there, and you’re always cycling into a headwind. The dike is part of daily life. In winter, children slide down it on their sleds; tourists stop there for the beautiful view; artists find inspiration there; and every year, Sinterklaas docks there. Due to climate change, the dike is being raised a little bit at a time, and the landscape behind it sometimes seems to be sinking. The dike is always there, often without us even noticing. With my photo series, I want to show what the dikes along the Maas and the Waal mean to the people who live there.
Karin van de Wiel (Wijchen) “Shaped by the Meuse”
In my project *Shaped by the Meuse*, I explore how the Meuse River has shaped the landscape between Batenburg and Wijchen. This area contains ancient traces of the river: a floodplain forest, primeval river dunes, former river branches, and hidden waterways. Sometimes these are located kilometers away from the river. Many people no longer recognize these places, but they still determine how we use the land.
I want to bring these hidden landscapes to light. Not to show exactly where everything was, but to convey how the Meuse River has shaped the region. It will be a photographic journey through Rivierenland.