Sander de Kramer: "The energy is just radiating from it!"

"It's wonderful to see Rotterdam festively lit up."

Sander enthusiastically describes his role: "RWWW is a fantastic initiative, especially because it shows how Rotterdam comes alive in the dark days of December with festive lights and all sorts of activities. I'm really looking forward to lighting the Christmas tree with the mayor and the Zangexpress school choir, with 200 children from Rotterdam primary schools, including the Mytylschool De Brug. During the rehearsal, I was completely swept away by the energy – it really just sparkled!"

A special moment that sticks with him is an experience one of the children had: "A boy in a wheelchair exclaimed that while singing, he completely forgot he had a disability. It felt like he was sitting in a regular chair. How wonderful!"

Rotterdam: a city that connects

For Sander, RWWW is more than a light festival. It's an initiative that brings people together in the city. "Rotterdam is a city that takes action. Especially at a time when the country is quite polarized, we're taking the initiative to connect people with RWWW. In Rotterdam, we care about each other, which is evident from the fact that we have so many City Warmers."

Shout-out and a personal wish

When we ask him about his "shout-out," Sander finds it difficult: "There are so many City Warmers who deserve a shout-out. But if I have to choose one, I'd go for the creator of the city heater initiative: Mayor Carola Schouten. In her, we have a true mayor who makes the city and its residents shine."

His personal wish for Rotterdam is clear: "That the Rotterdam Warme Winter Weeks become so successful that they're truly here to stay."

With such an enthusiastic ambassador and raging reporter, the Warme Winter Parade on December 12th promises to be an unforgettable celebration of light, connection, and warmth. Have you registered yet? You can do so via the link below.