Celebrating 100 years of dance in Amsterdam – A summer series in Het Parool

I’m truly grateful to have been asked again by Het Parool to create a special summer series of paintings, published weekly starting July 27th. This year, I chose to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Amsterdam lifting its public dance ban.

While Amsterdam is now renowned for its dance culture with events like ADE, it’s less known that public dancing was banned a century ago. Mayor Willem de Vlugt and his Calvinist predecessors deemed dancing immoral and harmful to health.

Pas de trois – 100 Jaar dansen, 2024

Although there wasn’t an official ‘ban’, no permits were issued, effectively preventing public dancing. Existing permit holders, mainly around Zeedijk, could keep their permits until ownership changed. Despite this, many people from all walks of life loved to dance, and clandestine dancing flourished in true Amsterdam fashion.

In the early 1900s, the popular tango horrified the city’s pious leaders, who occasionally danced themselves just outside the city borders. Jazz, with its “noisy” music, also spurred clandestine dancing. By 1924, due to the growing popularity of dance and public pressure, the ban was gradually lifted.

This anniversary is celebrated through a series of paintings by artist Jitske Schols, specially created for Het Parool’s summer series. The series showcases six different dance scenes, inspired by the diverse dance styles over the past century—from ballet to burlesque and tango to street dance, depicted in Schols’ signature style. Her paintings are not exact historical depictions but rather interpretations infused with her personal memories, experiences, and emotions.

Known for blending personal stories and historical themes with a modern twist, Schols’ work is a vibrant tribute to Amsterdam’s rich dance history, highlighting dance as an essential part of the city’s life. Starting this Saturday, these paintings will be published weekly in Het Parool. Don’t miss it!

INTERVIEW IN HET PAROOL DD 27/07/24