More than a hundred music cars and possibly tens of thousands of protesters are marching through the Netherlands this afternoon. In ten cities, people take to the streets to demonstrate again for the reopening of the events sector, under the motto ‘Unmute Us’. At the moment there is no prospect of that reopening, until at least November.
Amsterdam’s Yira Ahne is one of the activists today. “I see up close the impact of government policies on all individuals who have devoted their lives to events,” she says. Ahne does not work in the sector herself, but has many friends who do. “They have already had to endure so many blows and we are really on the brink. There must be a plan for reopening now, because the alternative is that we will no longer have any events left.”
Young people in particular are affected by the constant closure of the events sector, says Ahne. “The sector makes it possible to express yourself in your purest form and thus contributes to self-development and self-expression, which is an important part of their lives, especially for younger people. It offers space to make connections met like-minded people, to find your actual family and friends through similar values and interests.”
‘Man is a social animal’
“People are naturally playful and partying”, adds Peter Jan Margry, professor of European ethnology at the University of Amsterdam. “Man is a social animal. Partying is a form of fun and a way to develop yourself socially.”
For almost a year and a half it has not been possible to go to events such as festivals and concerts. “Every individual is different, but in general it can be said that the younger generation has had a shortage of festivals and concerts,” says Margry.
Professor of urban sociology Beate Volker at Utrecht University also says that events are important for the younger generation. “This group is in a phase where they are building relationships. The elderly, on the other hand, already have a network, so they are less bothered by the cancellation of the events.”
–
