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Destinations · Europe · netherlands · Amsterdam · Insider's view ·

A gorgeous city for everybody

Start getting ready for the Holland Festival, which Amsterdam will be hosting from June 4 to 26. Established in 1947, the festival is the leading performing arts festival in the Netherlands and a veritable parade of excellence in opera, theatre, dance and music. The programme usually incorporates works created especially for the festival and features several world premieres, while providing an opportunity to experience exciting art events from elsewhere as well. With a focus this year on Europe, the 2016 edition is subtitled Edges of Europe. It will examine the continent’s history, increasing diversity and specific points of tension, the most central of these being, of course, the current refugee crisis.

Several favourites will return to the festival this year, including British director Simon McBurney with his newest show, The Encounter. World-famous dancer and choreographer Akram Khan, whose style blends ancient Indian dance with contemporary Western dance, will take to the ballet stage with Until the Lions.

Annet Lekkerkerker, the managing director of the Holland Festival, was happy to share some of her thoughts about Amsterdam with Antohertravelguide.com.

Could you name three highlights of this year's Holland Festival programme that are absolute must-sees and why?

The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other (Die Stunde da wir nichts voneinander wussten) by Austrian novelist Peter Handke. This is the opening performance of the Holland Festival 2016, directed by Ene-Liis Semper and Tiit Ojasoo and produced by the Thalia Theatre in Hamburg. It’s a play with no words but a lot to say about contemporary Europe (June 4–6, Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam).

The Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music with Damon Albarn and guests. Reunited for the first time since the civil war broke out in Syria, this inspiring night will celebrate the richness of Syrian culture and Arab music (June 22, Royal Theatre Carré).

The Encounter by Simon McBurney and Complicite. In an imaginative narrative form and using innovative sound technology, McBurney tells a moving story about the encounter between two worlds, about brotherhood and solidarity and, in the end, about love.

Artist Marlene Dumas once said in an interview that Amsterdam is a wonderful place for artists. What do you think?

Amsterdam is a gorgeous city, for everybody. It has a lot to offer for artists: good museums, galleries, theatres and, of course, the Holland Festival!

What do you love most about Amsterdam?

It just being Amsterdam – a not-too-big metropolis with a historic city centre, a modern atmosphere, great neighbourhoods outside the city centre (be sure not to miss at least one of those), nice people (most of the time) and a no-nonsense mentality.

Is there anything about Amsterdam that bothers you?

It should not become the “Venice of the North”, meaning a city that is like an open-air museum for visitors. Instead, it should remain a city for both residents and tourists: lively, open-minded and with great cultural diversity.

What are real Amsterdamers like?

Is there such a thing as a real Amsterdamer? There are so many different Amsterdamers, but I like to think that most of them are tolerant, kind and lively, although they can be a bit morose.

Describe a perfect day in the city.

A sunny but not-too-warm day, which starts with a run in the Flevopark, a coffee on Javastraat, a nice day at the office, drinks with friends and a great performance at the Stadsschouwburg at night.

What are your favourite architectural landmarks in Amsterdam?

You can and should not miss the canals – walk the Prinsengracht from the Amstel to the IJ, turn left or right once every 500 metres to walk one of the other canals for a while, do some nice shopping, and visit the Museum Willet-Holthuysen on Herengracht to get an impression of 17th-century living for the rich (willetholthuysen.nl). To really get to know the Amsterdam School style of architecture, visit the Het Schip museum (hetschip.nl).

What are your favourite restaurants/cafés and why?

Wilde Zwijnen on Javaplein and Bar Basquiat and Bedford-Stuyvesant on Javastraat – great food and/or coffee, nice atmosphere, local produce, pleasant neighbourhood.

If Amsterdam were a perfume, which notes would come to mind?

Air, water, stone and a light touch of something dark.

 

Photo: Annet Lekkerkerker. © Mark van der Zouw

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