Friday afternoon. Rain is pouring here in Amsterdam, but it does not seem to affect the enthusiasm of the people that are building up the outdoor ‘Summer Camp’ stages just fifty metres from our building. It’s free music for us this afternoon, as Amsterdam gets ready for the tenth Amsterdam Pride to promote the city as the Gay Capital of Europe.

Amsterdam Pride has been repeatedly mentioned in debates about the creative city ever since Richard Florida published The rise of the creative class in 2002. He claims that a large gay population is an indicator of tolerance, which in turn, is needed for economically successful urban development. What is more, some other Dutch cities are rather enviously looking at Amsterdam’s ‘annual display of tolerance’. However, a four day festival does not automatically create a tolerant environment.

But at least it sounds as if they’re making serious fun out there right now.

www.amsterdampride.nl

For those who can read Dutch:
Municipality of Amsterdam

And here’s an interesting on-line debate about why it would be great for Rotterdam Creative City also to host a gay pride:
Social Democrats Rotterdam (PvDA) (in Dutch)