A little more than a week ago, I received very bad news; One of our friends passed away at a way too early age. Just around his 60s, he left us for whatever comes after our life at planet earth. Within hours, a group WhatsApp was setup amongst those friends who have at least one thing in common: The Absolute Love for electronic music, and more specifically, Techno. The family didn't want to know this side of their son and brother; They wanted to have a family only ceremonie. We all respected their decision, but wanted to do something in style ourselves...What better to honour him by going to the outdoor/indoor festival he was suppose to go with a few from the group already?

So we did...

The place: Thuishaven located in Amsterdam, somewhat to the outside of the city in a kinda creative industrial area. The only permanent festival we have in town; Actually the only one we have in the Netherlands. And I suspect maybe the only one in whole of Europe (but that is maybe a bit exaggerated since I for sure don't know all that is happening in whole of Europe). Every Sunday - and many weekends also on Saturday - a great atmosphere is created by the promoters, the artists (DJs) and foremost by the crowd - the party lovers - themselves. Inspired by the freethinkers in the scene, the hippy style decorations, the entertainment acts, cool and mostly quality music, and a mix of people of all ages with in average a more open mind to society and other places of enetrtainment; It is a great place to spend the Sunday afternoon and evening.

I wasn't too much into making photographs, but I wanted to have some for my own archive for this special day. That said, I think this was also a good opportunity to give you a little peak insight this one-of-a-kind concept.

The entrance is brilliant. A few sea containers connected for the people to queue to go through the usual checkups and at the end - three containers down the road - either get their ticket validated or buy one at the counter. To make this entrance a happy one, the inside of the containers are decorated with all sort of creative stuff. I particularly like this advertisement for a circus. Very much what Thuishaven is about, the combination of circus elements, all the entertainment and decorations combined with cool music.

On our way to the mainstage, we had to cross the hall - in winter it's a hall, in summer it's outdoor. We fell into a room full of happy dancing and cheering people with this tall alien displaying very enthusiastic moves.

Backstage is always a nice place to get away from the crowd, get ourselves a drink, say hi to the people organising all of this and to slowely get into the vibe. Sandrien behind the decks with a pretty ok set, therefor not at all boring.

Most of our friends arrived at the dance floor, therefore we quickly left backstage for what it was in search of our group.

Emotional event this time. Initially not a lot of dancing; More hugging; Exchanging stories about our mutual friend who was not here and will never be partying with us anymore; Feeling sad; Comforting each other. Later in the afternoon and evening we slowly found the mood to enjoy the music and atmosphere more, knowing our friend would've wanted us to enjoy!

For me - and I think for everyone else in our group - this was an event I (we) never will forget! It is a special way of saying goodbye to someone we have in our hearts. A way that is far from standard. A way many don't understand. But for me the best way possible to say farewell to a dear friend.

This hall was always outdoor, but recently a large frame was created with some kind of removable ceiling and walls so that in spring and summer weather conditions this floor is a true outdoor festival area, while in autumn and winter time the festival vibe is taken indoors.

Love the jellyfish! First time I've seen them was at Fusion festival in Germany, more than 10 years ago. At Fusion the party people are the ones bringing all these; At Thuishaven entertainment teams are going around. But that doesn't matter; It contributes to a happy vibe; It brings more smiles on peoples faces; It simply enhances the total atmosphere!

Couldn't resist to take a few off-the-beat photographs of this magical place. The DJ booth is a kinda shack build from old wood. Added to that some windows and doors from some old house being demolished; Perfect for this place!

Have you ever seen a DJ-booth with windows at the sides?

Led lights, but seems to be those not having different colours. Blue it is!

On our way out, I was able to get close to the jellyfish. Well, kinda close. Required some digital zoom on my photograph device, hence the kinda ok-ish quality.

Need no words...

Carpe Diem

a STEEM original
_{all photographs by edje using a somewhat modern telephone device}

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