This fall, we bring you the sixth season of Stem van de Stad, a project that takes us through the heart of Amsterdam, capturing the voices of the city. Alongside participants, youth, and experts, we explore relevant topics that shape the city and its residents. Let’s take a look back at the first two episodes of this season.
Episode 1: Indigenous Liberation
We kicked off the sixth season with the powerful theme “Indigenous Liberation” around Weesperplein. Our questions delved into the crucial relationship between the climate crisis and colonialism, the protection of biodiversity by Indigenous communities, fair funding for Indigenous Peoples in the fight against climate change, and what we can learn from their traditional methods of biodiversity protection. To support this episode, we organised the annual Indigenous Liberation Day, an event featuring cultural performances, panels, and international speakers. Together, we reflected on the day Columbus invaded Abya Yala (the American continent) in 1492, symbolising the beginning of European colonialism. This event underscored the need for reparations, justice, and decolonisation, with a special focus on returning land to Indigenous Peoples.
Episode 2: Legacy
In the second episode, we moved to Amsterdam Nieuw-West with the theme “Legacy.” We asked questions about what legacy means, why it’s important for young people to think about it, the role of art and artists in shaping legacy, and what our guests would like to leave behind for future generations.The talk show at New Metropolis Nieuw-West provided a platform for inspiring speakers, including Hlalia Masrati, Ilias Bardaa, Rosa Smits, and Soufiane Moussouli. They shared their personal perspectives on the legacy they want to leave as artists and creatives. The goal was to create awareness and inspire young people to use their talents for a positive impact on the world.
Episode 3: Kiesquiz
For the third episode, we went to Waterlooplein and Weesperplein with the theme about the elections of 22 November. We presented statements about if the binding study report should be abolished, organisations should be required to pay internship compensation, public transport should be free, the Netherlands should strive to become climate neutral as soon as possible. The talk show at Pakhuis de Zwijger provided information about the elections of 22 November. Which political parties are new? What does this political party think about this? The speaker of this show, Younes Douari answered these kind of questions.
Episode 4: Kerstboon
For the fourth episode, we went to Weesperplein and the HvA Wibaut campus with the theme of beans. We asked questions like: how many times do you eat beans, what is your favourite bean recipe, which beans do you know, how many grams of beans do you think Dutch people eat a day and would you eat beans instead of meat with Christmas. The talkshow at Pakhuis de Zwijger consisted of a dinner and the talkshow. Which provided a platform for Jan van der Goot, Joël Broekaert, Lotte Vermeer, Nina Olsson and Rocus Troost.
Episode 5: Punk
For the fifth episode, we went to Weesperplein and Waterlooplein with the theme of punk. We asked questions like: Do you listen to punk? If yes, which artists? Why do(n’t) you listen to punk? What is punk? Is punk still alive? And where can you find punk in Amsterdam? Punk has allot of different subgenres like emo-punk, post-punk, pop-punk and ska-punk. The most known genre is Punk-rock, which grew in the ’70s from psychedelic rock. Punk has to be short and easy, it has to contain simple chords.
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