Home
::
Curiosities
::
De Wallen
De Wallen
| De Wallen’: summit of Holland’s sex and drugs policy Hendrik Marsman, a famous Dutch poet (1899-1940), wrote |
| Thinking of Holland, I see wide-flowing rivers, slowly traversing infinite plains, inconceivably rarefied poplars like lofty plumes on the skyline in lanes… |
|
| However, thinking of Holland, most foreigners see ‘window prostitutes’ and coffee shops. The part of Amsterdam that reflects this picture most is ‘De Wallen' , the Red Light District, a maze of narrow alleys, lined with sex shops, theatres offering live sex shows and coffee shops where pot is openly smoked and sold. Holland pursues a liberal sex and drugs policy. Especially Amsterdam tolerates the fact that people may be into prostitution, soft drugs and pornography. Instead of criminalizing it, the policy aims to keep these practices open and thus controllable. Sex and drugs practices are not allowed to unlimitedly flourish. |
 | In November 2006, for example, the city council decided that 33 prostitution houses in the city, with over 100 of the total amount of 400 windows, had to be closed. The permits were refused or withdrawn by the council on the ground of a new law. This law can be pursued by a council to fight criminality. In January 2008 the permits of the famous Casa Rosso and the Banana Bar were also withdrawn. At the same time 16 Dutch fashion designers opened their studios in the former prostitution houses for. The designers are allowed to use the houses as anti house break watchers. This project is called ‘Red Light Fashion’. The aim is to focus the attention of visitors to the cultural value of ‘De Wallen’. |
| Perhaps what few really know is that ‘De Wallen’, which may be translated in ‘The Ramparts’, is in fact one of the oldest and most beautiful parts of the city. The neighbourhood shows many old buildings that lean at odd-angles and that house shops, museums and restaurants alongside the tree-enshrouded former fortification canals. It has long winding narrow, cobbled streets and charming 14th century architecture, such as the gothic ‘Old Church’. So when you will come to the EARLI conference, also pay a visit to ‘De Wallen’. And let not only the red lights draw your attention, but also enjoy the culture it transpires. |  |
