From manicure to pedicure, the hairdresser and the dentist: during the Homeless Party, the homeless in Amsterdam will lack for nothing. The party draws attention to the problems surrounding homelessness.
The party was held on Friday afternoon in the court garden of the Protestant Diaconie on the Nieuwe Herengracht and is intended for everyone who does not have a permanent residence. In addition to a haircut or painting their nails, homeless people could receive a free medical consultation at Dokters van de Wereld or simply drink a cup of coffee.
‘Look at me’
This year the theme is ‘Look at me’, because many homeless people are ignored every day by people on the street. “We see a lot in our lives, but we really look at very little,” says Eric Corton, who is responsible for the presentation of the party. “I feel at home here,” said one of the visitors, “I have the feeling that I am not forgotten.”
“It’s a fucking hard life on the street. It’s very difficult to scrape together a living every day. Here they get all the attention,” says Corton.