Amsterdam says goodbye to Red Light District icon Jan Otten

Amsterdam is saying goodbye to Red Light District icon Jan Otten with a funeral that will last two days, including a horse-drawn carriage and performances by various artists. The public is welcome at a large part of the farewell, which starts at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, AT5 reports.

“It will be a grand farewell, with a smile and a tear,” funeral director Roel van der Wielen told the Amsterdam broadcaster. Otten, who owned various erotic attractions in the Red Light District, including the live sex theater Casa Rosso, Bananenbar, Hospitalbar, Sexy Loo, Erotisch Museum, Sex Palace Peepshow, and Theater 97, died last week at age 82.

At around 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Otten’s body will be taken to the Waalse Church. There will be a tour of honor past all his businesses in the Red Light District. Afterward, anyone who wishes to can say their goodbyes to Otten at the church, where his life will be celebrated.

“That will be big, with names like Glennis Grace, Gerard Joling, and Samanta Steenwijk,” Van der Wielen said. “It starts at 11:00 a.m. and will continue until 5:00 p.m.”

Otten’s family asked that attendees wear black clothing with a dark pink accent.

After Wednesday’s activities, Otten will be taken to Casa Rosso, where he will spend the night. At 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, he will be picked up and taken to his funeral. “That means a large funeral procession, and the people who want to pay their last respects to him there can still do so.”

Otten will be buried privately on Thursday afternoon.