The CuCo Introduces: Tom Molenaar

This is the first part of a series of introduction pieces on the members of the Culture Committee (CuCo). This time Tom Molenaar, the chairman of the CuCo!

Name - City - Age - First name words - Daily activities?
Hi, my name is Tom (he/it), I am 21 years old and I live in picturesque Amsterdam Nieuw-West. I chair the Culture Committee of DWARS Amsterdam and study Literature at the VU. Poetry, literature and politics are things that interest me enormously, and besides that I am a big music fanatic!

How and when did you join DWARS? What ideals or issues are important to you?
When I was an intern at GroenLinks, I became a DWARSer in addition to being a GroenLinks member. I think social themes like climate justice, opportunity equality and diversity are hugely important, and I'm glad DWARS thinks so too. These themes also show up a lot in art, and that's where CuCo comes in!

What appeals to you about the Culture Commission?
First of all, it is just super fun to be able to share your enthusiasm about cultural things with other culture enthusiasts. Still, I especially like the fact that the people in the CuCo are good at linking this to political issues, and can thereby make the importance of art and culture very clear.

What is one culture thing you have ever done / can recommend?
I write a lot of poetry myself! That sounds very dusty, and it certainly can be, but it is a very nice way to express your feelings and be creative at the same time. I also enjoy playing my bass guitar for hours on end, although my housemates think otherwise. Finally, I think everyone should listen to Spinvis, the man is a creative genius and really just the primal force that holds this globe together. His very first and latest albums are highly recommended.

What are you looking forward to doing with the Culture Commission?
I am very much looking forward to (finally!) being able to organise physical activities again. I also hope to get art and culture back up on the Amsterdam and maybe even the national political agenda.

What else should people know? / Anything else you want to say about yourself?
Shoutout to all the top performers in the CuCo. Would you also like to meet these cultural powerhouses and contribute to the DWARSe agenda? Then send an email to cultuur.amsterdam@dwars.org