Pukkelpop will be reimbursed for the costs already incurred for the canceled festival. In total, the amount can amount to 1.8 million euros. That is what Flemish Minister of Economy Hilde Crevits (CD&V) said in VTM Nieuws.
–
Pukkelpop decides at the end of July to cancel the event where more than 60,000 people were expected because it could not meet to the required test strategy. This happened after the organizers had requested an advance of 1.8 million euros. That amount had already been approved, but not yet paid out.
In recent weeks, the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has further investigated the file and has ruled that Flanders will reimburse the costs incurred, Minister Crevits confirmed. VTM News. An amount of 400,000 euros has already been paid out, but that could rise to 1.8 million euros.
‘The organization had to be able to deal flexibly with the changed conditions. But if suddenly thousands of people had to be tested extra, it can practically no longer be organised. The investigation has now shown that this was the case for Pukkelpop’, said Minister Crevits.
It is not yet clear to what amount Pukkelpop will ultimately be entitled and when this will be paid out. “First, the organization still has to submit all invoices and documents to check the costs incurred,” says the Crevits cabinet. ‘Moreover, these must be non-recoverable costs.’
The minister also points out that the festival was able to recover part of the costs because it organized a smaller-scale event in Hasselt with Pukkelpopkwartier. ‘The income derived from this must also be taken into account.’
‘Show us the money’
Flemish MP Maurits Vande Reyde (Open VLD) says he is surprised at the news that Pukkelpop is still entitled to support from the Flemish government. He calls on the organization to be completely transparent. ‘A lot of bizarre things happened before the festival, such as canceling artists and subcontractors in advance. Anyone who uses public money must provide complete clarity. My appeal to Pukkelpop therefore remains the same: show us the money‘, says Vande Reyde in a response to Belgian.
– .
