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The Tomorrowland festival, the largest in Belgium, strongly compromised due to covid-19

2021-06-22T10:32:18.973Z


The municipalities of Rumst and Boom, where the demonstration is to be held at the end of August, believe that the epidemic is not "totally under control", while the government has given the green light.


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While the consultation committee in Belgium had given the green light on June 4 for the holding of festivals of 75,000 people from August 13, the two Belgian municipalities that usually host Tomorrowland have chosen not to allow it to be held.

An unexpected decision, as the program was announced and the ticketing

sold-out

.

The mayors of Boom and Rumst thus confirmed Thursday that they had not accepted the request for authorization from Tomorrowland, which was to take place on August 27, 28, 29 and then on September 3, 4 and 5.

According to them, the ministerial decree which must formalize the authorization of the holding of events for up to 75,000 people from August 13 has not yet been published, and the local police will not be able to assume the additional work that will generate the verification of health passes.

Read also: In Belgium, the major festivals should be maintained this summer

As mayors, we have a criminal responsibility, but also a moral one,

” argued the manager of Boom in the pages of

La Libre

. “

I would find it very difficult, on a personal level, if a local epidemic erupted in the aftermath of Tomorrowland causing casualties. Our main concerns are the epidemiological situation and the risks for the local population

”. "

It is a decision of common sense, not a decision of the heart,

" added that of Rumst. "

Tomorrowland has been with us for years and we hope to see it come back in 2022. But this time it's too early, the epidemiological situation is not yet totally under control and we are not sure that it is. will be at the end of August

”.

"

A hammer blow, very hard and unexpected

"

Arguments that are struggling to convince the organizers, for whom this decision is a real "

blow of the hammer, very hard and unexpected

". “

We are very surprised and perplexed by these contradictory messages from our governments. In the coming days, we will explore all possible options and try to obtain some clarity for our visitors and our suppliers,

”they said in a statement. The cancellation would indeed be a real blow for the festival, which had already not been able to take place last year due to the health crisis. "

The absence of Tomorrowland for the second year in a row would in any case be a huge disaster for our company, but also for the more than 1,500 suppliers involved, the many freelancers and our thousands of employees

”, lamented the organizers.

Read also: Health pass: the rule that irritates festivals

The Tomorrowland team nevertheless wants to remain optimistic, and still believes in holding the event. According to

La Libre

, the organizers would not rule out challenging the decision before the Council of State. Flemish Interior Minister Bart Somers also reacted to the announcement, saying he hoped the municipalities would change their mind: “

This sector has suffered a lot from the coronavirus crisis and we have it. supported with financial resources, but from August 13 it should again be possible to organize larger festivals,

”he told the HLN television channel. "

The mayors remain responsible in the last resort, and I want to respect that

", he assured. "

But I want to see with them what the problems are and how we can solve them together.

I think we should at least make a very serious effort together.

I believe that if there is good will, there are solutions,

”detailed the Minister.

A worrying situation for other large-scale Belgian events, such as the Pukkelpop, the Ronquières festival and the Grand Prix de Spa-Francorchamps, which hope for their part to be able to continue.

Source: lefigaro

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