Hasselt local authorities wish to move the Pukkelpop music festival closer to the city centre in a bid to turn festival-goers into city visitors. Some concerts may even take place in Hasselt’s Grand-Place, reported Het Belang van Limburg, the Dutch regional newspaper.
The project is at the consultation stage, said Mayor Steven Vandeput of the N-VA (Nieuw-Flaamse Alliantie). The city may well be the backdrop for several concerts at the beginning of the festival.
The objective is to move the event closer to the city centre. “Currently, festival-goers must take buses which skirt around the city centre without actually returning there,” said the city councillor, himself quoted by the Flemish daily publication.
“Pukkelpop, which brings in some 130,000 festivalgoers, is very important for the city of Hasselt. However, those attending do not know the city,” added Vandeput.
The authorities are hoping to attract potential visitors, using a “goody bag” or vouchers. “We are now discussing with shopkeepers the best way to implement the concept,” said Vandeput.
For their part, the Pukkelpop organisers confirmed that they are in talks with local authorities, but there are a number of important aspects still to be resolved.
The Brussels Times
