Rubber duck race should give relief to the Liberation Festival in Groningen. ‘Tap into new sources of income’

‘You don’t celebrate liberation on your own’ is the motto. Via the website Anyone can buy a raffle ticket in the shape of a rubber duck from the organization for 5 euros. The buyers receive a number that corresponds to the number of a duck.

Paper mill

There are 6,000 for sale and they will be launched on Friday, May 3, in the De Papiermolen open air pool. The plastic water animals have to reach the other side of the pool as quickly as possible. The winner of the lottery is the one whose duckling crosses the finish line first.

A report of the race can be seen on the Main Stage of the festival on Sunday and the organization will announce the prize winners.

“A notary ensures that everything is done fairly,” says Ebel Jan van Dijk, creative producer of the Groningen Liberation Festival Foundation. “The proceeds are intended for the liberation festival in 2025.”

The race must meet the rapidly rising costs that the festival organization is struggling with. This problem has been going on for several years and an earlier trial with an entrance fee of 5 euros provoked a lot of negative reactions, after which the organization made entrance free again.

“We have made it clear that a festival is not free,” says Van Dijk. “Artists receive a salary and we have numerous employees for setting up stages, security, etc., etc..”

Apple and egg

The cultural sector has noticed the high inflation of recent years, and it also applies there today fair pay principle. This means that organizers are not allowed to leave artists and employees at odds. Unfortunately, this was still the practice all too often until recently.

“If the festival is free for visitors, we are dependent on the government, the municipality, the province and on sponsors and funds,” says Van Dijk. “Fortunately, they understand our situation. But it is important to continually tap into new sources of income.”

Emergency weather

A large festival like this entails more and more hassle with security and the like. Last year about 60,000 visitors came. Due to the severe weather, the organization had to interrupt the festival for 2.5 hours. “We have scripts for all these types of matters and we keep them up to date every year,” says Van Dijk.

Besides the weather, there is also the increasing threat of terrorist attacks and the like. The AIVD recently warned about the consequences of the situation in the Gaza Strip for the Netherlands. “We are in contact with the municipality and the police about this.”