Europe was getting their engines started for the biggest Eurovision Song Contest event in the Netherlands since the actual Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam earlier this year, but it seems that the party is over now. “Het Grote Songfestivalfeest” in Amsterdam is cancelled because of the recent COVID-19 developments in the Netherlands. The country had to go back in lockdown, and because of that the grand Eurovision event, that was planned for December 9th 2021 will not take place this year.
The spread of COVID-19
The spread of COVID-19 in the Netherlands is exceeding medical expectations in the last couple of weeks, which means that hospitals are treating patients at an alarming rate. A “soft” lockdown was implemented in the Netherlands a couple of weeks ago, with some relatively soft measures, and back then Het Grote Songfestivalfeest would have been no problem to take place. Attendees needed to remain seated, and they needed to show a valid QR code, a proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test, just like during the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam.
With deep sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the cancellation of Het Grote Songfestivalfeest on the 9th of December 2021. We know that this will come as an enormous disappointment. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but the new government regulations give us no other choice.
Official Statement
Please give us some time to process all of this. We will get back to you at the end of this week with more information about a possible new date and/or refund.
We hope to see you again soon!
New measurements
This soft lockdown did not work, so more severe measures were implemented. (Movie) theaters and other cultural venues, bars, restaurants, non-essential stores, and such need to close at 17:00 (05:00 PM), and during the time they are open they need to guarantee 1.5 meter of social distancing. In this regard, it became exceedingly difficult to organize an event such as Het Grote Songfestivalfeest, because the actual ambiance and the health of the attendees of this event would be at stake.
At first there were members in the organization who stated that there was a chance that the event would take place before 17:00, but eventually the event got cancelled. Information about the event being postponed and people being refunded will be announced soon.