History: Several hundred people in the Netherlands found each other in the desire to form a community based on spirituality, community building and ecology. This project is called the Ecovillage. (www.ecodorp.nl). Three people from this group did not want to wait for the realization of this major project and decided to buy a farm with the same objectives in June 2002, founding the association Vlierhof. In September 2002 they bought a farm in Kleve Keeken and called it Vlierhof, based on its previous name “Flierhostey”.
Vision and core values: The Vlierhof aims to promote awareness and peace on earth. We want to make a contribution to the social and environmental problems faced by the society today, showing that a different way of life is attainable. Creating a place where the aim is to live as self-sufficiently as possible.
The Vlierhof welcomes those who want to organize a workshop or event, a family celebration or those simply looking for a Bed & Breakfast, but we want it to be more than just a seminar centre or guesthouse. We would like to make our contribution to a more socially responsible and sustainable world where it is easier for people to find their inner balance. Our core values have to do with that.
Labyrinth: The garden labyrinth at the Vlierhof was built in 2005. A labyrinth is an ancient symbol found in different forms worldwide. It is often confused with a maze. The difference being that in a labyrinth you follow one path, rather than choosing left or right. The path contains twists and turns, leading to the center and then outward again. The labyrinth at the Vlierhof is shaped like the one in the cathedral of Chartres in France. This is one of the largest labyrinths discovered worldwide. It contains a total of 28 turns from the entrance to the center. On foot one even makes 56 turns.
Volunteers: Volunteers are almost always present at the Vlierhof. We strive to balance what volunteers bring to us (work experience, new ideas, labor etc.) and what they can gain (learning, community life etc.). Without our volunteers we could not fulfill Vlierhof’s vision. We depend on the help of the volunteers in various areas: our seminar house, our Bed & Breakfast, our community home, our kitchen, the sawmill, the heating system and our gardens and grounds. Moreover, they bring a fresh perspective from outside, as they come from around the world. We are very grateful that we’ve had so many wonderful people over the years. Many volunteers come from WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), HelpX, or WorkAway.
