‘Do you think we are so different from them?’: the Dutch in Antwerp can also count on understanding when comparing
Dutch society is locked up and so bored northern neighbors flock to Antwerp to let off steam. The bustle in the city of biscuits gives the local economy a boost, but also causes mobility problems and political tensions. ‘This is antisocial and not solidarity.’
“You’d be crazy to lock yourself up in your house for the entire Christmas vacation.” On a packed platform in Antwerp-Central station, Jan Paul and his partner Sylvia (both 59) share a tray of Belgian fries on Wednesday afternoon. It is the end of a journey that lasted two days and for which they were on the road for a long time. They live in Den Helder, almost 250 kilometers away. Since their home country went into lockdown two years ago to continue the spread of the omikron variant, the couple who wanted it extra delivered to practice during the holiday season have started to experience something new. “We will return home earlier than expected because it was so busy that we could no longer enjoy the city”, Jan Paul acts not to let his bowl of chips fall into the crowds.
Just outside the station it becomes clear that the fries lover was not exaggerating. On the Meir, tens of thousands of people try to make their way between the long queues in front of shops and the various a cappella choirs who refreshed their Christmas repertoire for the occasion. “We took the exit”, jokes a Dutch young man when we ask him what brings him to Antwerp. “Looking back, it was a big one, because it’s raining here. While the Netherlands is of course an underwater paradise 365 days a year.”
What’s below, a couple makes less effort to hide the fact that they’re heading to the city just for fun. “The Dutch government is destroying entrepreneurs, I don’t think it is being handled properly. The entire public life is restricted with us, people point en masse to Belgium, Mick (18) tells us about the well-stocked shop in his hands. He and his girlfriend already did Christmas shopping in Antwerp last week and visited a cinema. “I heard that the culture houses here were also closed for a few days, but now that they are opening again, that gives an extra reason to come back.”
‘We want to buy that’
Not everyone is even enthusiastic about day trips. Governor Cathy Berx (CD&V) previously called on our northern neighbors not to descend to Antwerp anymore. According to her, border tourism takes care of both countries. Mayor Bart The logical prosecution and Angela Merkel’s messages received ‘We want to buy that’ even upstairs. He wants to lead the crowds through his city through a well-considered policy. Stewards appear on the Meir who ask to keep their distance, and there is extra signaling specification.
The choice of policy results in a busy city center, but catering operators like to turn a blind eye to that. “During the corona crisis, we experienced difficult times, but the Dutch are now providing extra income. They are therefore welcome,” says Fardin Ayamoddin (27), who runs a brasserie in the station area. For Dutch tourists it hurts to see the full terraces. “To be alone because the government today makes it possible for me to perform my job as a catering employee,” Lars (23) tells how he makes a fruitless attempt to authorize a table in a cafe on the Groenplaats. He is not afraid of contracting a corona infection: “I have been vaccinated and wear a mouth mask, I have made my contribution.”
Young audience
In the center of Antwerp it is striking that some of the Dutch day trippers seem to consist of late teenagers, twenties and thirties. A young audience that feels that it has made enough sacrifices and that even wants to escape the lockdown in their own country. “It is noticeable that certain rules are implemented more strictly here than with us”, Sophie Van Rijn (18), who is on a city trip. Zolicht refers to what, according to her, the mouth masks are less involved in, according to her. “During our stay here, I sometimes saw Dutch people making a fuss about the mouth masks and then I was embarrassed in their place. You can’t even follow the rules in your own country, so what are you doing here?”
The arrival of the many Dutch people does not only have advantages for residents of Antwerp. Several downtown parking lots have been filled in recent days, causing police to often have to direct people to park-and-ride areas outside the city. The exodus caused a lot of stationary traffic and local efforts. gives the way in which the car drivers the chance to park in the center. “If they think it’s possible, then motorists just keep coming. And they make the city they so desperately want to go to unlivable,” wrote Ghent Alderman for Mobility Filip Watteeuw (Green) on Twitter.
From a traffic jam at the exit of a car park, an Antwerp resident shows more understanding for the Dutch ‘incursion’. “If tomorrow it is stronger in our country than there, we will cross the border again en masse. Or do you think we are so different from them?”