Rotterdam residents can bid farewell to Mayor Aboutaleb on Sunday

Rotterdam will bid farewell to Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb in the park on Sunday. The municipality has organized a party for him in the park near the Euromast, which will start at 1 p.m. and last until 5 p.m. All citizens who wish can come to greet and thank their outgoing mayor. In turn, Aboutaleb will address the people of Rotterdam for the last time.

The "Rotterdam Day" party reflects Aboutaleb's time in office at the end: "The best thing you can give me is to take care of each other and the city" is one of Aboutaleb's statements on what he wants for the city and what has defined his time as Rotterdam's mayor.

There will be music, dance, acrobatics, children's workshops, and sports workshops on eight stages. "This special Rotterdam Day is a gift to the city as a thank you for the many conversations the mayor has had with Rotterdam residents and their commitment. It is a day for everyone. Together, we wave him goodbye and pay tribute to our beautiful Rotterdam," the municipality said.

"It will be a festival where we bring the city together and show it in all its facets, partly based on ideas from Rotterdammers. The mayor will be walking around all afternoon, so feel free to approach him to thank him. And around 4 p.m., we will say goodbye on the main stage: he will be able to make one more speech to the city, and there will be a little surprise appearance. It will be a festival that will really appeal to the whole city, from young to old," Daniel Valencia, head of the farewell event, told AD.

A spokeswoman for Aboutaleb could not estimate how many interested residents will show up but hopes for a good turnout. "It will be a surprise how many people will come. But it's an open and free festival. And the weather will be nice!"

Ahmed Aboutaleb (62) has been mayor of Rotterdam since 2009. He will step down from his official role on October 1. He will be succeeded by former minister Carola Schouten.