The banner that hung everywhere and nowhere all weekend, by Calluna Denkers


W: Hey Julia, what is the Union again? 

J: The Union could be called the value collective behind Into the Great Wide Open. It is an initiative of the ITGWO team. As a festival in this time, it’s sometimes complicated to relate to all the situations in the world. With the Union, we can take space to draw attention to what is going wrong, based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We don’t have all the answers either, but we can try to start a movement or support other movements. And it is, of course, an invitation for everyone to join in, by giving shape to your protest voice in your chosen field. And you, Wilbert, what does your protest voice look like?

W: Good question! I make a mildly activist podcast, The Leftist Men Solve It, and I mainly try to involve as many people in Groningen in activism as possible with Collective Activism Groningen. Because for many people, going out onto the street still feels very far from their bed. I also try to be a member of parties that advocate for more solidarity, and organizations like Vote for a Woman, which you have also worked for. And you are now also working for Brainwash, where quite a few activists are in the lineup. Do you see yourself as an activist? 

Wilbert van de Kamp and chef Gina Bloeme during the opening dinner, by Calluna Denkers

J: Hmm, not really. I don’t spend the majority of my time as (unpaid) activist, but I try to work as activist as possible through my work as a program maker. There are of course many ways to Rome, and giving a place to activists like Jerry Afriyie, Sylvana Simons, Tim Hofman, or XR in your programming is an important part of that. On a personal level, I also do as much as I can to express my ideals - what you see is what you get, so to speak. Do you ever encounter the walls of what people think fits within your podcast? Or do you make people angry with your leftism?

W: Well, I get more angry responses to the demonstrations I organize than to the podcast. Maybe that is a bit too much preaching to my own parish. That's always a risk, even at ITGWO I think. But we have to keep trying! This festival had a café, children were radicalized, there was a session, a service, and activism was visible throughout the festival through the gowns of Bonne Suits. Which form of activism do you feel most at home in?

J: Hahaha, I love radicalizing children because it gives them the insight that their voice counts if they know how to use it well. That people will listen. But also, I think you can achieve a lot even without being radical. I consider myself a mediator, and often try the path of diplomacy. At the same time, many things make me incredibly angry. I think it’s important not to keep things neutral but to express yourself: by going out onto the street, using your social media, and getting involved through membership in a political party (or more). I reserve that diplomacy for the kitchen table, to have important conversations with the people I love and to involve them in my thoughts. Over the past ten years, I have gone through a significant development with my family regarding eating meat, and the discussion about 'Black Pete' for example.

The (small) Protest March, by Roel Riphagen

W: That has happened in my family too, yes, especially through the youngest generation (my sister mainly). So that part with the children I found so hopeful. Although demonstrating for ‘never brushing teeth again’ is not where we want to end up, maybe it’s the beginning of an activist life journey. And what difference did it make that the Union was now a continuous line in the program, rather than a small part? 

J: Good question. And an important one, because we thought long and hard about this. Last year we were at the Ice Rink with Tribunals Are Coming, on Saturday and Sunday. But yes, if you don't feel like going to a tribunal at 11 o'clock in the morning, you could just enjoy your ITGWO experience carefreely and return to the mainland without a worry on Monday. The point we wanted to make was: resistance is unavoidable and inevitable. Even if no cell in your body feels like resisting during the last weekend of the summer, with this ongoing programming, you have come into contact with something of protest or activism. And to involve those people who accidentally stumbled upon a little resistance somewhere on the island - lured by Sef, Nightmare People from Hell, or good food - in the story, it also needs to be fun. Caring about things can also translate to making music or conspiring around a campfire. There is something for everyone, and space for everyone. But first, a meeting must be organized. That’s what we tried to do. And then it’s really cool to see that afterwards many people have seen it, and many newspapers picked it up. Yes, ITGWO is a leftist bubble, absolutely, but also one with pepper in the backside, fighting spirit, and a willingness to return to the mainland like a Trojan horse!

Nightmare People From Hell, by Laura van der Spek


W: Yes, I also found it hopeful to see activism in all those different forms. How sad I find it that many people only become activists so late, because it really feels like five past twelve to me, yet I'm glad that more and more people dare to do so. Because besides the radicals, we also need the masses. I'm curious if there will be even more activism to be found at ITGWO next year and what has stuck with people from this year's programs.  Onward!

Image by Calluna Denkers


P.S. And all praise for people who have been doing this longer than we or the visitors, like Jerry Afriyie and the people from Netherlands Becomes Better. Their campaign Take Over the Baton, you can find here.

Jerry also wrote a beautiful essay especially for Into The Great Wide Open. That will appear here very soon.

Sef makes way for Jerry Afriyie, by Ruby Dijt

The Service in the Nicolaas Church, by Ruby Dijt