Youth cultures in North Brabant in the broad 1960s

From about 1955 onwards, youth cultures took off all over the Netherlands. Young people rode around on mopeds, hung out in the streets or at cafeterias and ice cream parlours, bought pop music records, indulged in strange new dances in dancing or youth clubs, went to concerts by their favourite musicians, wore distinctive hairstyles such as quiffs, candyfloss, jazz goatees, Beatles hairstyles and long loose hippie hair. Youngsters clearly dressed differently from their parents. Pop stars like Elvis, Juliette Gréco and The Beatles were wildly popular. Not only their music, but certainly their looks were endlessly copied by the countless fans.

Not all young people were equally busy with this, but it was a recognisable trend. Where did these youth cultures come from? Why did they emerge at that time? What youth cultures were there and what did they entail? What clothing styles, music preferences, art expressions, films, reading, activities, manners and philosophy of life did they embrace? How did their adherents relate to each other and to the world beyond? This lecture will answer all these questions in words and, above all, lots of images. It also explains why youth cultures are actually so attractive to their adherents and what significance they have for society as a whole.

This event is organised by Heemkundekring De Heerlyckheit in Dongen. Admission is free for members and €2 for non-members. For information, contact Ellie Oerlemans (06-27543479) or at [email protected].

De Cammeleur
Hoge Ham 126, 5104 JK Dongen