DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Gentse Feesten sees fewer noise complaints, but post-festival disturbances remain a concern

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • The Gentse Feesten festival in Ghent, Belgium, has seen a 20% decrease in noise complaints compared to last year.
  • Despite fewer official complaints, a problem persists with festival-goers creating noise in residential streets while returning home.
  • City officials urge attendees to respect residents' night-time peace, especially when leaving the main festival zones.

The annual Gentse Feesten in Ghent, Belgium, has recorded a notable 20% reduction in noise complaints this year compared to the previous one. However, the celebration is still grappling with a persistent issue: "follow-on nuisance" caused by festival-goers making noise in residential streets as they head home.

Go wild on the squares, but when you go home through residential streets, do it quietly and calmly out of respect for the city center residents.

— Joris VandenbrouckeThe festival mayor's appeal to attendees to minimize noise in residential areas.

City officials are appealing to attendees to be mindful of residents' need for sleep. "Go wild on the squares, but when you go home through residential streets, do it quietly and calmly out of respect for the city center residents," urged festival mayor Joris Vandenbroucke. This call for consideration aims to mitigate disturbances in areas outside the designated festival zones where people live.

To foster better relations between the festival and its neighbors, several square organizers are holding meetings with residents before and after the event. Vandenbroucke supports these initiatives, noting that a neighborhood consultation is even mandatory for organizers seeking permits at the Oude Beestenmarkt, a venue hosting activities again this year. "I'm getting a lot of positive signals about this from neighborhood residents," the festival mayor stated. "I think it's fantastic that square organizers actively seek contact with the residents around a square to make good arrangements. They also provide good information about what they are planning."

I'm getting a lot of positive signals about this from neighborhood residents.

— Joris VandenbrouckeCommenting on the positive reception of neighborhood consultation initiatives by residents.

Vandenbroucke acknowledged that the situation isn't always perfect but emphasized the importance of mutual understanding. "It's not always roses and sunshine, but it starts with knowing each other well, listening to each other well," he concluded. The efforts aim to balance the vibrant atmosphere of the Gentse Feesten with the tranquility required by those living in the city center.

It's not always roses and sunshine, but it starts with knowing each other well, listening to each other well.

— Joris VandenbrouckeReflecting on the importance of communication and understanding between festival organizers and residents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog