Last Sunday brought an end to the latest edition of Amsterdam’s most colourful, unrestrained festivals: Magneet. At night a wild variety of the city’s finest DJs and live performances unfolds and one can admire the beautiful self-made curiosities against the starry sky.
An intimate get-together for everyone
What once started as the most crowded stage at Lowlands, the Magneetbar, has disclosed itself into a ‘mature’ festival at the gateway to the inner city, next to the A10. During two weekends it produces a grown-up town on itself filled with art, theatre, food and a flee market, accompanied by live bands and electronic music. Strolling around I feel like a kid again, putting grease paint on my face and pouring myself a rhubarb vodka which reminds me of my parents’ vegetable garden in Zeeland. A wistful but familiar feeling hangs in the air when I watch grown-ups trundling hoops on the beat of the music.
The crowd is an eclectic mix of families, children, hippies, hipsters and free spirits which makes it a vivid appearance.
Perhaps I’ve found the secret of Magneet’s success right there. The crowd is an eclectic mix of families, children, hippies, hipsters and free spirits which makes it a vivid appearance, much different from the party people at most festivals during summer. The referral to Burning Man has been made by the Dutch media, although in my eyes not a comparison that does justice. To me the festival is the city’s own answer to intolerance, with vegan food, bizarre curiosities, abundant costumes and the best musicians Amsterdam has to offer. Something we can be proud of as citizens and hopefully will last another year to enjoy.
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