Seaport Days attracts nearly 25,000 visitors

And not without results: the fourth edition attracted a total of nearly 25,000 visitors from Amsterdam through Zaandam to IJmuiden. With a peak of visitors on the Java Island. There the free Havenfestival excelled for two days with demonstrations on and near the water, port companies, the hydrogen inspirience, port tours, entertainment, catering and children's activities.

Open house
The Port of Amsterdam is holding an open house for three days, but is also coming to town with the Havenfestival Festival. "To underline our connection with the city," said manager Amports and Seaport Days Roel Mostert. "We belong together."

Connectedness
No better place to demonstrate that connectedness than these islands, inhabited today, but constructed a century and a half ago as an extension of the then port. That nautical past is still reflected everywhere in the area. In the former warehouses, in the names of the streets, in the quays where people now walk with or without their dogs, and especially in the abundance of water.

Liberal
The East District cherishes that history, says Daily Director Jan-Bert Vroege during his talk at the breakfast. "The port has always been decisive for the economy of Amsterdam, but also for the character of the people of Amsterdam. A port literally stands for connection with the world. This also applies to the people of Amsterdam: they are adventurous, curious and liberal."

Crane ship steals show
The festival turns the Kop van Java into a port area once again. The almost sixty meters high crane ship Zeearend steals the show and on the shore companies and organizations from the port are present with booths to draw attention to their work. The district also benefits from this, emphasizes Administrator Vroege. "For young people from Oost, the port really is an incredibly interesting employer."

City with a port
To that end, it is important that those young people know how to find the port, too, says Ramon Ernst, president of Amports until the middle of this year but still a port man. "Over time, the port has moved further and further away from the city. Amsterdam is a city with a port. In Rotterdam, it's the other way around. That is why it remains important to keep telling the story of the port, as we are doing this weekend."

National Slavery Museum
In that story, space has also been made for the colonial past. Also present at the festival are the quartermasters of the National Slavery Museum, which is scheduled to open its doors on this very spot in about five years. Together with residents of the islands, a temporary exhibition was created that will be on display at the Kop van Java until the end of July.

Sail 2025
During the Havenfestival there was plenty of room for the promotion of SAIL Amsterdam. To let people know that the event is coming (August 20-24), the organization, in cooperation with Port of Amsterdam and SAIL, had brought tall ship the Stedemaeght to Amsterdam. Within the wide range of ships on offer at Seaport Days, sailing classics are a real draw. Reason for the organization to investigate whether this component can grow further in the program alongside initiatives such as the Energieplein, which offers space for energy transition and circular industry, and modern shipping.