A grand public farewell to Mayor Aboutaleb

After serving Rotterdam for more than 15 years, Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb will make way for the intended new mayor Carola Schouten, who will be sworn in on 10 October. But on 25 August, Aboutaleb will already be given a farewell during Rotterdam Day in Park at the Euromast.

It will truly be a Rotterdam party. There will be various stages, performances and activities. Meanwhile, the mayor, like all visitors, will enjoy everything that is organised. The festivities start at 13.00, and at 16.30 the closing will be on the central stage.

Cultural offerings

John Buijsman is the host and will introduce a rich programme. There will be art by Anna Ramsair and workshops for children by Juffrouw Klieder & Juffrouw Klodder and Circusstad Rotterdam, among others. Excelsior, Neptunus and HIKARI cheerleading will give sports clinics.

Mayor Aboutaleb is, of course, a great lover of poetry and poetry. Poets and spoken word performers Dean Bowen, YMP, Anne Vegter, Daniel Dee, Elfie Tromp, Bruna Ferro Xavier da Silva and Elten Kiene will therefore be present.

Musical offerings include SKVR's ultra brass band, Dakka Sultana, Zangexpress, The Lendvay ensemble, Danilo Tavares and company, Celia Gacia Garcia, Firma 010 and New Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra.

The Rotterdam chamber orchestra Sinfonia will host a family programme at 14.00, including presenter Fenna Ramos and singer Ntjam Rosie. There is (seating) space for 2,000 spectators, but reservations are required.

The Front Door of Rotterdam

In the run-up to Rotterdam Day, Rotterdammers were asked to indicate what makes Rotterdam so beautiful. There are already many responses and these are being incorporated into an experience where visitors will hear all the stories by using their smartphones.

Cover photo: Marc Nolte

Even more focus on farewells

The Maastunnel is currently hosting the exhibition: 1 city, 7 mayors. From Oud to Aboutaleb is on show until 31 October. The exhibition portrays the seven post-war mayors of Rotterdam. Photos of each mayor since 1945 have been selected: Oud, Van Walsum, Thomassen, Van der Louw, Peper, Opstelten and Aboutaleb. The photos by photographers such as Carel van Hees, Arie Kievit, Jerry Lampen, Kees Molkenboer, Tim van der Post, Frank de Roo, Jaap Rozema, Hans Tak and Robin Utrecht hang in 40 picture frames along the escalators of the Maastunnel so that thousands of cyclists and walkers can view the exhibition for free.

The Kunsthal will host the exhibition Aboutaleb: mayor/citizen's father from 7 September. Photographer Salih Kiliç focused his camera on the Rotterdam mayor over a long period of time. He followed the governor from 2018 until the outbreak of the corona pandemic during all his daily activities. With over 30 photos, the exhibition gives a multifaceted and intimate insight into the working life of one of the longest-serving mayors in the Netherlands.