Maik ter Veer felt suffocated by the strict housing regulations, the scarcity of accommodation and the Dutch nanny state. Together with a group of friends, he squatted in a disused shipyard in Amsterdam’s harbour district, setting up an area where people could be creative. About 150 people now live in and around the yard in warehouse spaces, boats, caravans and self-made homes.
The area is due to be cleared soon by the authorities. “Amsterdam has lost its liberty,” complains Mr Ter Veer, who is on the lookout for a new location. Draft legislation to make squatting illegal is going through the upper house of the Dutch parliament at the moment.
Wednesday 5 May is Liberation Day, the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in the Netherlands. Radio Netherlands Worldwide is publishing profiles of people pushing freedom to the limit in 2010. Who are the people behind Amsterdam’s reputation as the world’s most liberated city?
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The husband and I were very lucky to have visited almost exactly one year ago at Damoclash. We had a fantastic time! All the lovely people we met were friendly, enthusiastic and genuinely inspiring. Thank you for sharing with us and very, very best of luck to you all in every new adventure to come.
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