Carnival in Kielegat (Breda) is bursting at the seams every year, but for young people aged 15, 16 and 17, celebrating is sometimes a lot of hassle. They fall through the cracks because they are too old for children’s carnival and too young to go to the pub. And so this group – often with their own drinks – just hangs around the city center. But that is finally going to change: they are getting their own carnival party.
The initiative stems directly from a study that the Kielegat Foundation conducted last year and in which the message was crystal clear: this age group wants its own place with its own atmosphere and music to celebrate carnival. No longer between twelve and thirteen year olds at the Bouncing Ball, but also not in a café where they simply do not enter.
“They fall through the cracks,” says chairman Rutger Westenburg of the Kielegat foundation. “They actually have no business being on the large squares, because it is too big, too busy and too uncontrollable. And so we have to create that place for them.”
“Drinking, riots and informing parents put extra pressure on enforcement and the police every year.”
Breda is not alone in this. The same problem exists in cities such as Den Bosch and Tilburg. During carnival, young people flock to the city centers, where drinks and sometimes drugs are within reach.
Breda city marine Patrick de Leeuw views this development with concern. “What you see is that young people just hang around on the street,” he says. “And that they have alcohol with them. And that is of course not allowed.”
According to De Leeuw, this poses serious risks and problems. “When you’re young, you push your limits,” he explains. “And especially with alcohol, children are very vulnerable in all kinds of areas. Then you don’t want them intoxicated in the city. Binge drinking, riots and informing parents put extra pressure on enforcement and the police every year. And you don’t want that either.”
“You’re not coming into our party with a bottle of vodka.”
That is precisely why De Leeuw calls the initiative of the Kielegat Foundation so important. “They need a place where they can gather with like-minded people,” he says. “And that is why it is really important that this is organized for them. A great solution.”
The upstairs room of party location De Avenue functions as a closed space with wristbands, private toilets and security. Rutger Westenburg of the Kielegat Foundation is clear about the rules: “You will not enter our party with a bottle of vodka. And drugs are not accepted either.”
“The party must grow into a permanent safe haven for young people during carnival.”
But are young people really looking forward to this? To make the party attractive, the target group thinks along. Former members of the youth group act as ambassadors and determine the music, atmosphere and even the name of the party. “The expectations for the first edition are modest,” Westenburg continues, “but the ambition is great. If the initiative is successful, it should grow into a permanent safe haven for young people during carnival.”
In the meantime, the municipality of Breda itself is not sitting still. Several departments are currently working hard on new policy for the target group of 15-17 year olds. “We are working on an action plan for carnival,” concludes city marine De Leeuw.