Disappointing turnout for youth festival ‘We R Young’: “Still scared after needle spiking” (Hasselt)

With a lot fewer people than at the previous edition, just under 1,000 young people between 12 and 16 years old still created a nice atmosphere during their ‘We R Young’ festival. “We are going to evaluate how we can make adjustments,” says Alderman Habib El Ouakili (RedGreen+).

Alderman El Ouakili is looking for an explanation for the striking decline in visitor numbers: “The less favorable weather in recent weeks, the fear among some parents after we experienced the ‘needle spiking’ incident in the previous edition and perhaps the slightly inferior poster. ” He emphasizes that the unrest ultimately turned out to be unnecessary. “The needle spiking was an unnecessary and unfortunate incident two years ago that abruptly ended the festival for the young people. In the end, nothing was found or proven. However, we have made extra efforts to ensure the safety of the young people by placing extra stewards on the site.”

READ ALSO. Five girls subjected to toxicology testing after reporting ‘needle spiking’ on We R Young

At the Kolonel Dusartplein – the alternative festival location for the swampy Kapermolen Park – this did not bother the 974 young people (2,500 more young people would come in 2022) at all. They especially went crazy at Maksim and ended their party nicely at 8 p.m.