Seeing, building and tasting the future during an exciting bike ride through Rotterdam with Parfum de BoemBoem #dekeuze

A procession of bright red and green bicycles snakes along the Meuse, ridden by people looking around curiously, conferring with each other and wondering at every moment if 'this is part of it'. The Parfum de BoemBoem ticket in their pocket is proof: this is not an ordinary bike ride, but one with theatrical surprises. Guide Sereh enjoys the questioning looks and leads the group to the first location: the waste incinerator in Rotterdam-South.

 

What will Rotterdam look like in 2020? That's what this 2.5-hour voyage of discovery, which ties in with the 'Imagine 2020' part of the International Choice programme, is all about. This weekend, theatre makers will show the parallel world of our future. Not only in the Theatre, as well as on the Schouwburgplein and on bicycles. "We tried to imagine what it will be like here due to climate change in 2020," says organiser of Parfum de BoemBoem Harry Hamelink. "That's what we chose the route for and that's what the artists we meet along the way have been working on."

The first time we get off is at the Maas Tunnel. An unusual and somewhat unfortunate way to transport your bicycle: up and down a steep escalator. Tourists fall through mercilessly here if they cannot keep their bikes under control and almost fall forward down the stairs. Rotterdammers step up gaping and look on indifferently at the struggle. When the whole group is finally downstairs, the street musician in the corner is overlooked. He must not belong, right?

Not much later, the waste incinerator looms, including a welcoming committee with yellow helmets. Those helmets should be carefully buckled on everyone's head. Cycling into the plant, you almost expect a survival trip. Instead, it turns out to be a moment of calm. We take our seats on small chairs for the video performance 'Not everything is for sale' by Harriët van Reek & Geerten Ten Bosch. With images of changing landscapes, the canvas suddenly splitting in two and an interplay of hands, ball and stone, they literally give a glimpse of the future: melting ice caps, extreme drought, rising sea levels.

Next location, the construction site near Central Station. But from the sixth floor of the Groot Handelsgebouw. Impressive to see the chaotic station area from this height for once. We are asked to look down, because 'something' will be happening there with someone who wants to blend in with the crowd, but can't manage it. An exciting request, because now all passers-by are suspect. A funny performance - something involving a ripped shopping bag and falling oranges - follows. A preview of the performance 'Les Spectateurs' by OMSK, 26 to 28 September at the International Choice. "We spent four months in Kinshasa for this," dramatist Anoek Nuyens tells us. What is it like to be a guest in a country you don't know? Can you adapt easily? These are the kinds of questions we explored there."

After an explanation from guide Sereh about the plans for the station area, the Parfum de BoemBoem caravan set off on its return journey, with one more stop: a table made from waste material from the station's concourse, made by the Gang. These artists, designers and furniture makers who make beautiful things from Rotterdam's waste materials are inviting everyone to come and do odd jobs on Schouwburgplein today. "Have fun making your own bicycle basket," says the artist.

Unfortunately, cyclists have had a bit of enough of their 'faithful companion' (pet name of Parfum de BoemBoem) and are craving something to eat and drink. So the sight of a Schouwburgplein full of stalls selling delicacies seems a perfect end to the day. If you look closer, though, you will see some strange delicacies on the table. Live grasshoppers tumbling over each other, for instance. They belong to the impressive Foodlab 2020 from Rotterdam Harvest, where new cuisines are being explored as inspirations for a sustainable future. Besides insects, the menu includes sea lettuce and bladderwrack.

Today, Parfum de BoemBoem cycles through Rotterdam again, from 13:00 to 15:30, start Schouwburgplein. Check out the site of the International Choice for the entire Imagine 2020 programme.