Mayor Jack Mikkers of Den Bosch had countless conversations in The Hague to convince the politicians to open up the catering industry at Carnival. Together with a group of mayors from the south, he explained what the celebration means and even showed them pictures. With success, because due to all the relaxation, the catering industry is fully open with carnival.
Mikkers started the group carnival mayors together with the mayors of Tilburg, Eindhoven, Venlo and Maastricht. “We did that in January, when it still seemed that the catering industry would not open further. We were really concerned,” he told the Omroep Brabant program KRAAK on Sunday.
“There is not much wisdom about carnival in The Hague. It’s not that we go to the pub alone. For the south, this feast is really important. That’s why I explained to them what the party means to people and I also showed them pictures. You can’t celebrate carnival sitting at one and a half meters.”
The relaxations were announced during the press conference last Tuesday. Minister Ernst Kuipers then also had a special appeal for the carnival celebrants. “Corona is not gone. Celebrate it in your own environment. Go to the cafe but avoid the big crowd.”
According to Mikkers, that is not entirely feasible. “We do call on the partygoers to really support the local catering industry. So celebrate carnival in your own village or municipality and don’t all come to Den Bosch.” Mikkers also thinks it is better to celebrate carnival with people you know well. Because after two years of waiting, it takes some getting used to for everyone to be in a full pub. You better be with your friends and not with strangers.
“I am concerned about public order. When the catering industry was open until ten o’clock, we already saw how much was drunk in the evening. People are also easily irritated. They are no longer used to being so close to each other. That is why we have made agreements with the catering industry, security and the police.”
And yes, the mayor himself also dives into the festivities. “Then I will be farmer Mikkers. But my phone stays on and I will mainly drink Spa red.”