Museums and concert halls have temporarily transformed themselves into beauty salons and gyms in the Netherlands, in protest of the Dutch government’s restrictions on Corona Virus.
A barber and two nail artists took care of the visitors among the priceless artworks at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and two barbers set up their chairs at the Concertgebouw Theater in the capital, France 24 reported.
The cultural sector says it is unfair for them to remain closed while Covid restrictions were lifted last week on shops and so-called “communication professions” such as barbers and nail salons.
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“We wanted to make it clear that the museum is a safe visit and we should be open,” said Emily Gordenker, director of the Van Gogh Museum.
She continued, “The mayor called me last night and said she is not allowing it, we expect to receive a warning at some point and after that we will have to close, but we wanted to make this point very poorly so we are here.”
One of Hallaq’s clients said he came because he was “pro-cultural”.
Max Smit, 32, added, “Let’s reopen businesses, let’s reopen culture as quickly as possible,” stressing: “Of course with reasonable epidemiological risks but I believe that large institutions such as large open spaces such as the Van Gogh Museum should be able to reopen it.”
Nearby, the Concertgebouw Hair Salon saw two masked barbers cut their hair on stage, while Charles Iver’s No. 2 Symphony Orchestra played.
As Simon Rennick, Director of Concertgebouw, added, “After two years of patience and an always constructive attitude, it is time for a fair perspective on the cultural sector.”
