During a tour of the street, what is striking is what is not there: flags, streamers and other World Cup decorations are almost completely missing. A resident does walk around in an orange shirt, but that does not appear to be a conscious World Cup choice.
“Not deliberately,” he says. “I just thought it was a nice color with this sunny weather.”
‘It’s not alive yet’
According to several local residents, the upcoming World Cup is currently hardly happening in the neighborhood. While Oranjestraat and the surrounding Leidsebuurt were known in the past for their exuberant orange decoration during major football tournaments.
One resident thinks that the composition of the neighborhood plays a role in this. “More and more new residents are moving in. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t live like that anymore.”
Others point out that many people are not yet concerned with the tournament. “Many people watch less television these days. And with this warm weather, people are also busy with other things.”
Still orange just before kick-off
Nevertheless, residents expect that the familiar street scene will return. According to them, most decorations are traditionally only put up in the last week before the tournament.
“Come back a week or a week and a half before it starts,” says a local resident. “Then everything will be full again.”
Other residents also think that the Dutch team’s first match could be a turning point. As soon as the Dutch national team takes action, the Orange madness will probably break out.
