The municipality of Breda has banned artists from performing at an event in the Tuinzigt district, in the run-up to the World Cup match between the Netherlands and Japan. The organization was imposed a preventive penalty of 25,000 euros because, according to the municipality, announced performances by artists do not fit within the permit.
This is evident from a letter from the municipality that was seen by Omroep Brabant. Organizer Christian de Leij is disappointed. He says that the permit for the event on Ahornstraat was applied for two months ago. According to him, safety, music, food, drinks and the expected visitor numbers would have been discussed.
Performances
In recent weeks, it was announced on social media that there would be performances by folk singers prior to the match. But according to the municipality, artists are not allowed to perform, as can be read in the letter. To prevent the rules from being violated, a preventive order subject to a penalty of 25,000 euros has been imposed.
The letter further refers to a conversation between the organization and an official on June 8. The organization is said to have said: “Believe me buddy, the artists will continue as usual.” The reason why the organization wanted to continue with the event was because the artists had already been booked and paid.
Decoration
De Leij is angry about the municipality’s decision. In recent months, he and local residents have spent a lot of time preparing and decorating Ahornstraat. “We have put a lot of work into this with the neighborhood. Then this hits hard. I really don’t understand it. We expect perhaps 200 to 300 visitors. That is a lot, but it remains a neighborhood party. We have been doing this for the neighborhood for eleven years.”
Despite his frustration, Christian doesn’t want to take any risks. The artists will therefore not perform on the street or on the event site. “I don’t feel like a fine of 25,000 euros. I don’t have that money.”
Out the window
But it is still unclear whether the artists can no longer be heard at all. It is whispered in the neighborhood that the singers will now perform from the window of a house. “That’s something others came up with. But we’re not going to cause any problems on the street.”
“People mainly come here to watch football together,” De Leij concludes. “But those performances were part of the fun. It’s a shame that it had to turn out this way.”