THE NETHERLANDS PROTEST BY TURNING CULTURAL VENUES INTO SALONS

Fancy getting your nails done or hair cut in a concert hall while listening to an orchestra playing in the background? While it might not look or sound like the average protest, that’s exactly what went down in The Netherlands.

Current lockdown measures are allowing gyms and beauty salons to stay open and operate, but cultural venues are not allowed to open.

In the city of Amsterdam, several famous theatres and galleries opened their doors for hairdressers and beauticians to work while they played music and sang in the background.

In a tweet, junior culture minister Gunay Uslu shared understanding for the protest and acknowledged that although they’re not breaking any laws, the protestors still have to be cautious.

“The cultural sector is drawing attention to their situation in a creative way. I understand the cry for help and that artists show all the beautiful things they have to offer us. But the opening of society must go step by step. Culture is high on the agenda.”

The Guardian reports that in the Netherlands, new covid infections have been hitting near-daily records above 30,000. The country has recorded more than 3.5 million infections and 21 000 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Hospital numbers have been steadily declining.

Image credit: Euronews