A peaceful start


The books are covered, the logos are on the aprons, the film’s in the can, the finishing touches completed. The visitors arrived after 4pm. But not in the numbers we had hoped for. Perhaps it only seems that way because the island is so big but we hope more people will show up.

Small groups of people amble among the wind nomads while Gabriel performs on the podium. As night falls, the Windnomaden terrain is closed, to us as well, and watched over by security guards. The festival area is now busy and attractive: lots of people at the table, wonderful dance performances, the (sometimes noisy)silent disco, music, the Parade...the festival was officially opened with fine words from artistic director  Joop Mulder (Oerol), executive director Henk Scholten (TIN) and State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frans Timmermans. This was followed by a great performance from Ellen ten Damme. The rain fell, the last boat left at 11:30 pm and the first day was over. Maybe there will be an article in the New York Times tomorrow.