In a world where nightlife has become a vital element of urban culture, nightlife mayors are becoming increasingly important in maintaining balance, promoting diversity and inclusion. One such example is Freek Wallagh, Amsterdam’s nightlife mayor, who joins us at The Culture of Nightlife Conference, bringing a unique perspective on how nightlife can become a catalyst for positive change in the community.
Similar roles to Freek Wallagh’s exist in cities such as London, New York and Tokyo, and he confirms that he has a close relationship with Ariel Palitz (New York), whom he contacted as soon as he was elected. He did the same with Amy Lamé (London) and his Dutch colleagues to understand the issues they had faced.
As night mayors, we often find ourselves in isolated positions without established organizational support. The task of improving nightlife can be overwhelming, and learning from the experiences of fellow night mayors provides a head start, because otherwise we are on our own. After all, we’re here to facilitate, we’re here to make things easier, but we can never claim to be a substitute for community building, for entrepreneurship. Knowledge-sharing among night mayors is crucial, and we are actively engaged in these ongoing conversations, Freek points out.
Freek advises towns considering appointing their own night mayor to let him or her operate independently of the administration, not to see him or her as an extension of them, but as an element that brings them balance. In his case, at least, he believes that being separate from the government allows him to operate more actively and efficiently. Further, he recommends that the shape of the night mayorship role be shaped in a progressive and meaningful way. Adapting the position to the local context is again very important.
I think Amsterdam is a laboratory for what to do as a European city and what not to do as a European city in terms of nightlife. In the second half of the previous century, Amsterdam had a thriving and abundant nightlife, and we can look at what was done right – giving importance to public spaces and adopting a free and inclusive atmosphere. But that stands in contrast to the current shortcomings, as the city has ignored its night economy for the past decade, he adds.
Freek has also worked internationally, including in Morocco and the Middle East, because he believes that balancing local action with a global perspective is important. He wants not only Amsterdam, but the whole of the Netherlands and even Europe to benefit from all the work his organization does by implementing the data it collects.
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This project is part of the national cultural program “Timișoara – European Capital of Culture in 2023” and is financed through the Grow Timișoara 2023 program, carried out by the Project Center of Timișoara Municipality, with funds allocated from the state budget, through the budget of the Ministry of Culture.
The Night-Art Festival is presented by George, the first smart banking.
Sponsors: Fan Courier, Iulius Town, ATP Motors, Pepsi
Project partners: Leeds City Council, In-Edu Association Timișoara, German Cultural Center Timișoara, Cluj Cultural Center, West University Timișoara, University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca, Polytechnic University of Timișoara
Communication partners: Getica OOH, Aushopping galleries, Kiss Fm, Euromedia, Pressone.ro, G4Media.ro, World Wide Print, Daisler Print House, Știri din România, Tion, Express de Banat, IQOOL, Zile și Nopți, Știri de Timișoara, NewsVest, Adevărul, TVR, Radio Timișoara, România Pozitivă, Best of Timișoara