Report City discussion 11.04.2025

On Friday evening 11 April 2025, the Stadsgesprek on (night) culture, organised by N8W8 R'dam, took place at WORM Rotterdam. Around 60 interested people gathered to explore and discuss together what night culture actually is. Although night culture is regularly mentioned in the media and policy documents - such as the City of Rotterdam's Night Plan - its definition remains vague. This ambiguity soon became clear when moderator Aniek de Rooij opened the evening by asking who knew exactly what night culture means. Hardly anyone raised his, her or their hand.

Three different hard definitions of night culture were discussed, from the municipalities of Utrecht, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. But a clear framework was lacking. During an interactive Kahoot, common associations emerged: music, freedom, talent development and community. At the same time, it turned out to be difficult to draw clear boundaries - because when does catering stop and night culture begin? And how does night culture differ from the broader cultural sector?

Yet there was one point on which those present remarkably agreed: the community itself should define what night culture is. Not the government, not the market - but the people who experience, make and wear it.

In the ensuing panel discussion, Phil Powel, Yessica Deira and Juliana X, led by moderator Nychenda Fecunda, elaborated on their own experiences and perspectives. Phil Powel talked about how night culture has been essential for him in shaping his artistic identity, both as a person and an entrepreneur. His roots are at Nighttown, where interdisciplinary programming and cross-pollination were a matter of course. When he later founded BIRD, he deliberately targeted a gap in Rotterdam nightlife: a place for Black music, rooted in African-American thought such as hip-hop, funk and soul.

For Yessica Deira, night culture is mainly about experimentation and discovery. She stressed the importance of going out without knowing exactly what to expect - something she believes used to be more present in Rotterdam than now. She was also surprised by the large number of (illegal) raves in the city, which exude just that sense of spontaneity and underground. Juliana X, however, brought in another perspective: that of her childhood in Friesland. She grew up among booze huts, youth boxes and yard parties. Everything was DIY, and night culture began there at an early age - often around 12 or 13. For her, escapism played a big role. She also argued that night culture is not limited to the night: it also arises during the day, for instance at the hairdresser's or at the table football table. Rotterdam, as a typical 'working city', therefore has the motto, according to her: work hard, play hard.

The conversation took on political overtones when the 2023 bubbling ban was brought up. There was outrage from the audience: the ban was seen as a colonial echo - an attempt to dictate how certain groups are allowed to express themselves. The demise of the Dance Parade was also discussed. What was once an international event with enormous appeal has now disappeared from the scene. The panel stressed that the narrative on night culture should come from the community, not from the police or government. The lobby for night culture is weak: it is worrying that a few incidents at an event with a hundred thousand visitors can determine the public image.

It also painfully revealed how few people of colour and non-men are currently represented at the top of the house scene. Yet there are initiatives trying to bring change. From May onwards, for instance, Ampfeminine's mentorship programme will start, providing guidance to budding female DJs. A key focus within that programme is how young creators can combine their creative passion with paid work and study - a recognisable area of tension for many.

A question from the audience nicely summed up the central challenge of the evening: How do we make it clear to politicians what the sector's wants, needs and necessary frameworks are?

Later in the evening, Venla Keskinen (Miila) and Orlando Haynes (Seven Angels) shared their views on the importance of private spaces for the ballroom scene: "for the community, by the community." Using a video of the exhibition Deep in Vogue at the Kunsthal highlighted the ballroom scene. It was described as a "chosen family" and a creative breeding ground where culture is constantly being invented and reinvented. Ballroom acts as a support network for issues such as sexuality, mental health and homelessness. Participation there is not passive: you are an active part of it all, or better stay at home; because there is little room for spectators or monkey watchers in this close-knit community.

The evening concluded with a performance by XST3LLAR artists Aeesha and April222 - a fitting end to an evening that was all about expression, community and the question of who actually determines what culture is.

We thank all attendees, WORM and the Municipality of Rotterdam for contributing to this evening!

Our next event will take place on 24 April at Skateland Rotterdam and will feature Pizza, Party & Politics. Together, we will work on drafting a one-pager with the night sector's priorities. We will hand this over to various political parties as input for their party programmes towards the municipal elections in March 2026. Book your ticket for the Programmeursoverleg on 24 April here.