Week 14: Is Rotterdam a festival city?

Is Rotterdam a festival city?

Rotterdam has a reputation as THE event city in the Netherlands and was even voted the Best Festival City of the World in 2010. This weekend, yet another festival called Motel Mozaïque festival will take place, offering a mix of music, dance, theatre and visual arts at different venues all over town. EM asked international students what they think of the Motel Mozaïque festival and Rotterdam as a festival city in general.  

David Hosp (20), IBA student from Austria

I like going to festivals and I might go the Motel Mozaïque festival this weekend. So far, I have only been to festivals that last for a few days and involve camping, but never to one that’s spread out into venues all over the city. It does sound like fun. After all, I like barhopping and I am into music. So, why not give it a shot? But generally, I think that Rotterdam doesn’t really live up to its reputation as THE festival city in the Netherlands. There are some nice events, such as the film festival, but I do think you can expect a lot more from a city that was nominated best festival city of the world in 2010.

Mansour Alireza (27), Research Master student from Saudi Arabia

Rotterdam as a festival city is not bad considering the size of the city. The museum night and the film festival, for example, are great. And the Arab Camera Festival is also a really good event with loads of interesting movies related to Arab countries and communities. Unfortunately, I am really busy. So, I don’t have a lot of time to actually go to that many festivals. But, I would definitely consider going to the Motel Mozaïque festival this weekend. I have never been to it before, but I am into music. So, it is worth giving it a shot. 

Elizaveta Shulyndina (19), IBCOM student from Russia/Vietnam

Personally, I think of Rotterdam as a festival city. It is really made for it. After all, there are so many students and young people here. There is one downside to it though: It is sort of expensive. There are probably a lot of people that would like to go to all the festivals, but just can’t afford it. I, myself, have not been to that many festivals here. Just because it is too pricey and I am really busy. But, the Motel Mozaïque festival sounds like fun. There are a lot of performances by artists that I would like to see live. NL