Amsterdam, March 16, 2009
I made a long walk on the grounds of the former shipyard of the NDSM (Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij - Dutch Dock and Shipbuilding Company) .
A report on what I saw.
The NDSM shipyard was a shipbuilding yard in Amsterdam from 1946 to 1984. After it went bankrupt, squatters took possession of the empty buildings. Since then the area has grown, with support from the council, to become the city’s largest cultural breeding ground. Here festivals, shows and events are held throughout the year. Around 250 artists are working there, in the visual arts, design, theatre, film, media and architecture. There are also various craftsmen and small firms located at the site.