Pieter de Zwart takes over as Chair of De Fryske Beweging

Pieter de Zwart has been the new Chair of De Fryske Beweging since 26 September 2026. He succeeds Sjirk Eildert Bruinsma, who is stepping down after two years in the position but will remain a member of the board. The change in leadership was announced during the annual Bewegingsdei, which this year was held in conjunction with the commemoration of the Battle of Warns (1345).

De Zwart has been a board member of De Fryske Beweging, the Frisian FUEN member organisation that promotes the West Frisian language and culture in the Netherlands, since 2023. He is the most experienced member of the current board, which consists entirely of people in their twenties and thirties. Living in Kollumersweach and working as a teacher in vocational education, De Zwart aims to strengthen cooperation with other organisations and initiatives while bringing more structure to the movement's activities.

“Over the past few years, a great deal of effort has gone into renewal and maintaining a constructive approach. We want to continue along this path and build on it further. In doing so, we will actively seek cooperation and work to make the organisation even stronger,” said De Zwart.

De Fryske Beweging also hosted the 10th Annual Meeting of the FUEN Working Group of Non-Kin-State Minorities (NKS), which took place from 2 to 5 July 2026 in Ljouwert/Leeuwarden, Fryslân. Around 20 representatives of national minorities without a kin-state gathered to discuss the digital presence of minority languages, artificial intelligence and the future of smaller languages. During the meeting, De Zwart presented the work of De Fryske Beweging, while his predecessor Bruinsma, then Chair of the organisation, addressed participants at the official opening.

For Bruinsma, the decision to step down was primarily a practical one. Having moved to Brussels for work, the increased distance has made it more difficult to combine the responsibilities of Chair with his professional commitments and place of residence. He will continue to support De Fryske Beweging as a board member.

De Fryske Beweging is a member of the FUEN Working Group of Non-Kin-State Minorities (NKS), which brings together minority communities without a kin-state to exchange experiences, address common challenges and strengthen cooperation across Europe.