The organization puts it this way on Thursday: “Last week we again focused on constructive consultation. We are still convinced that we can organize a safe Tomorrowland. All matters were green to submit a new application to the municipalities, but especially the lack of balanced and unambiguous virological advice that fits in with our tight organizational framework is the reason why a new application makes no sense.”
“Given our long collaboration with the municipalities, we don’t want to turn it into a legal battle. Challenging the decision of the mayors with the Council of State is an avenue we do not want to tread. We respect their citizenship, but also our neighbors from the municipalities of Boom and Rumst.
They call it “hard work to cancel a festival for the fourth time and once again to disappoint all the passionate people who work day and night on the festival”. “It is a huge financial blow for us as an organization to almost completely lose our annual turnover for the second year in a row. But just as well for the suppliers, freelancers, artists and associations involved who are passionate about Tomorrowland. Today, with a heavy heart, a series of orders worth more than 50 million euros was canceled with many loyal Belgian suppliers.”
Mayors Jeroen Baert van Boom and Jurgen Callaerts van Rumst (both N-VA) say they “take note of the decision that we believe is still the only correct and most sensible one in these circumstances.” “There are no winners in this story. It’s also not about who is right. As said before, it has also been a decision of the mind and not of the heart for us. And that undoubtedly applies even more to the organization.”
They regret that “the circumstances are not better or different and hope that the organization and their employees can cope with this severe setback”. “And to be honest, this has only increased our respect for the organization, despite the difficult consultation moments in recent weeks. So let’s look forward to 2022 together and experience The Reflection of Love to the fullest next year, again in Boom and Rumst.”
© Geert Van de Velde
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local residents
Go back a bit, to last Thursday. Mayors Jeroen Baert van Boom and Jurgen Callaerts van Rumst (both N-VA) decide not to grant Tomorrowland a permit. Their arguments: the ministerial decision that events up to 75,000 people should be possible from August 13, but that there is not yet. And the police who would not be able to handle checking so many corona certificates.
The result: the postponed edition of the dance festival, which was supposed to take place in recreation area De Schorre during the last weekend of August and the first of September, cannot take place. “We have a personal, legal and moral obligation to ensure public peace, safety and health,” the mayors said.
“A sledgehammer blow,” the Tomorrowland organization called their decision. They say they have “followed the measures at all times, evaluated the situation and consulted with everyone”.
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Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) also called the argument of the missing ministerial decree “strange”. “The final decision on whether or not to allow events to take place rests with the local authorities,” she said. “But there is no ground for refusal in the current ministerial decree, as this decree is valid until June 30.”
She sat down with the mayors a few days later, together with Flemish Minister of the Interior Bart Somers (Open VLD) and Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA). But they stood their ground. “Given the current circumstances known to us, we cannot reconsider our decision and our position regarding the license applied for,” they said afterwards.
It is possible that the protest of the Tomorrowland residents played a part in the decision of the mayors. The second festival weekend in particular was a thorn in their side. At that time, the new school year has already started. “Eight hundred children under the age of twelve live in our neighbourhoods. They would see their night’s rest completely affected,” said Jan Dierckx, chairman of the council of one of the three neighborhoods adjacent to De Schorre.
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