About town with... Carolien Gehrels

Culture in Amsterdam

'Culture is in Amsterdammers' genes. And they have the gall to want to produce the best and see the best. I grew up in Dronten and hail from a family of polder pioneers. They arrived at the Haarlemmermeer with their spades ready for action in 1852.

Maybe that's why I'm so taken by developments on IJburg; Theatrical IJburg, a host of galleries and people designing their own houses, it's great!'

Theatre

'Leidseplein is where it all happens in Amsterdam. Last month I went to see Teorema by Toneelgroep Amsterdam in the new Rabozaal. It was truly sensational. The set had been designed so that you could still see the old Amsterdam Schouwburg through the glass partition. And the sky above Amsterdam, fantastic. And all I have to do is jump on my bike and I'm at Leidseplein in no time!'

Dance

'I've got immense respect for choreographer Hans van Manen. He's extremely witty, warm-hearted and socially involved. For me, he embodies 'Mensch, durf te leven' (a timeless Dutch song imploring people to live their lives to the full).

Evening out

'If I have the time, I like to head to a bar about five o'clock and then eat out. I generally prefer to have a chat than to hit the dance floor.'

Restaurant

'There are innumerable great restaurants where I live in De Pijp district of Amsterdam. I'm pleased that A la Ferme in Govert Flinckstraat reopened its doors last year. The new head chef Ben van Geelen used to work at Bordewijk. A la Ferme is a small restaurant with a great atmosphere and French twist to the menu. The food is prepared beautifully and is never overcomplicated.'

Café

'Weather permitting; I love to sit on the terrace outside De Ysbreker on Weesperzijde. Or on one of the terraces on Van der Helstplein, under the gorgeous trees. Café Stof for example. But I'm happy anywhere on the square, there's lots of space and the atmosphere is always buzzing.'

Amsterdam for children

'Our son, Toon, likes to play in the Sarphatipark. He enjoys messing around in the sandpit, or jumping in puddles. And he loves Amsterdam's Artis Zoo, especially the lions, elephants and sea lions. Toon knows a lot of the animal's names, such as Yindi the elephant and of course Tanja the Hippo. And there's even a sea lion called Carolien. Toon was distraught when the old sea lion Max passed away last year.'

Surprising Amsterdam

'Amsterdam is infinite. There are pleasant surprises lurking around every corner. Like when I first saw a performance at Huis aan de Amstel on Lauriergracht. The Huis aan de Amstel theatre group merged two years ago with Wederzijds to form De Toneelmakerij. The building used to be a monastery and has an amazing courtyard hidden away inside. It's popular with school visits as it allows children to get their first glimpse of theatre.'

Museum

'I fully understand that Amsterdammers want the major museums to reopen as soon as possible. When all the renovation is completed in 2013, Amsterdam will have more fine art per square metre than anywhere else in the world! Work should be finished on the Stedelijk Museum in December 2010 and 2011 will see the completion of both the Scheepvaartmuseum (The National Maritime Museum) and Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic). The new Filmmuseum on the northern banks of the river IJ will be completed in 2012 and the Rijksmuseum will be back to its former glory a year later.'

My motto

'I quote Spinoza: "Freedom is the purpose of the state" ("Het doel van de staat is de vrijheid"). This is inscribed on the impressive statue of Spinoza by Nicolas Dings. Erected in 2008, the statue stands proud near the bridge over Zwanenburgwal in Amsterdam. I have a great view of the statue from my office.'

Interview by Anne-Rose Bantzinger
Translation by David Nice
First published in the Uitkrant, January 2010.

More about town with...

About town with... Abdelkader Benali

About town with... Ernst Veen

About town with... Paul Groot