VOX POPS
TAKING
YOURI NATTEKAAS (39)
THE STAGE
“I like coming to Rotterdam for the cultural offering. Culture is like the oxygen of the city. The cultural scene in Rotterdam is
A lively and buzzing urban scene can be key in attracting talent. And culture can play an instrumental role. We headed out one sunny spring day to ask Rotterdam residents and CIC workers how culture defines a city.
like nowhere else, it’s in-yourface. You see it in the street, it’s in everything, everywhere, all around. If you want to see art, you go to the Kunsthal. For old culture, modern culture – this
SUSAN VAN HOLSTEIN (31)
rich city’s got it all.’’
“Culture is massively important in Rotterdam, mainly because it’s what makes
NAWAL MAHAMED (22)
YANNICK HEKMAN (26) 16
the city and shapes its identity. I live in Rotterdam and love going to its museums, festivals and fun markets. My favourite is the Noordplein market on Saturdays, because it’s small and compact and has exactly what you’re looking for. Rotterdam has the cultural scene you want and expect in a city.”
“Rotterdam’s cultural scene really
“Rotterdam’s cultural scene is
embraces diversity and human
sort of important to me... but
differences. I love that about it. You
not very, actually. I visit cul-
gain an understanding for cultures
tural institutions at most once
that would be unfamiliar other-
a month. This city doesn’t have
wise. You can never get too much
“To me, Rotterdam is Holland’s
much in the way of culture that
of it, but, culturally, Rotterdam is
main city for culture. I’m a member
appeals to me personally. So, I
the place to be. My favourite place
of a circus, so the cultural scene is
Because of Covid, I’m in the process
would consider it from a broad-
to go is Witte de Withstraat – which
super important to me. Most of the
of rediscovering the cultural scene.
er perspective of the whole
I live near now – and I’ve made
cultural spots I go to in Rotterdam
Now that restrictions have been
Randstad. It feels old-fashioned
many new friends there at the local
to me to confine it to one city.”
hangouts.”
ROOS VAN RIJK (24)
are around Schouwburgplein. I’d highly recommend the Circusstad Festival! To me, what’s lacking
TEXT Fleur Nuisker
PHOTOGRAPHY Bastiaan de Haas
BRIAN VAN DER SLUIJS (28)
TESS VAN DER KOOIJ (33) “I’m from Rotterdam originally
and moved back here in late 2019.
lifted, places I’m visiting are Witte de Withstraat, Lantarenvenster and the new Boijmans. I can’t
in the arts and culture world are
name any one place in particular;
opportunities for advancement
Rotterdam’s cultural offering is so
and growth.”
scattered. What’s nice about that is
“A city’s vibe and how people interact is defined by its cultural scene.
you can get your culture fix all over
Without culture, you have nothing – no soul. Rotterdam has a strong
the city. The city’s image is defined
cultural scene. There’s loads of diversity, which makes it more dynamic
by culture, and I think that’s really
and varied. It’s tough to say if Rotterdam offers a cultural platform for
important.”
all people and if there’s enough going on culturally for all groups, or if people are confronted with each other enough. There’s plenty culturally in Rotterdam for me at least. My favourite places to go are the Kunsthal, the IFFR and, occasionally, the cinema.”
DAX RAVESTEIN (25)
“Culture is what defines the city. Rotterdam’s cultural scene has carved out a very distinctive identity; it’s a movement in which all cultures come together and live alongside each other. I personally go out a lot, but I do feel we’re missing a central plaza with places to go like other cities have. Witte de Withstraat is one of my favourite places in the city. It’s a laidback area with a low profile, which I like.”
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M A G A Z I N E
