Backbone is the corporate magazine of Erasmus School of Economics Published three times a year, once in print and twice online, the magazine highlights successful and interesting alumni, covers the latest economics trends and faculty research, and reports on school news, events, and student, faculty, and alumni accomplishments.
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Rotterdam
Dive in the world’s most
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Publication Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam Editors Ronald de Groot, Yrla van de Ven, Babette den Daas, Henk Goris, Aleksandra Stuip, Madeleine Kemna, Annemarieke Dumay-Roest Concept, design and realization Kris Kras context, content and design Illustrations Carolyn Ridsdale Photography & Video Rotterdam Branding Toolkit, Kees Stuip Fotografie, Sophia van den Hoek, Marc Heeman, Daarzijn, Rien Bexkens, Koala Koncepts, Eric van Vuuren, Ka-Chun Lo, Willeke Machiels.
Archive
Innovation Part of the Rotterdam DNA
Design
From Scratch to Skyscrapers
Culture
Best festivals in Rotterdam
Innovation: part of the Rotterdam DNA
Entrepreneurship and innovation are part of the Rotterdam DNA. Located along the west coast of the Netherlands, the city is one of the most important transit hubs in the world and part of one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe. Rotterdam bustles with activity and is the place to be for innovators, start-ups and venture capitalists.
Most of the city, like the rest of the region, is below sea level. Throughout the history of Rotterdam water posed different challenges to the city. Over time, Rotterdam has not only found ways to cope with its environment but also turned it into an opportunity for business by opening up to trade and prosperity.
A huge factor contributing to the innovation of Rotterdam are the migrants from all over the world, who have found their new home and opportunities in our city. This show of pioneering spirit partly explains why Rotterdam became such an exciting and world-famous city.
From Scratch to Skyscrapers
Rotterdam is a city unlike others because it carries an atypical past. The 1940 bombardment and the fire that followed razed the inner city to the ground, while putting an end to the livelihoods of too many. Because of the bombardment Rotterdam had to be built from scratch again to what is now the Dutch capital of urban design and architecture.
Scattered across the city, one can find traces of pre-bombardment landmarks. However, the street view is mostly characterized by modern architecture.
The flattened inner city provided creative brains with enough space to experiment with. Over the years, Rotterdam grew and rose from its ashes into the metropole that it is now. The city is dominated by wide lanes, high-rise constructions and enough space to experiment still.
In memory of the bombing of Rotterdam, Gers!Magazine Rotterdam presented a short and powerful film portrait to commemorate (the dead), to honor (the reconstructors) and to celebrate (the city of Rotterdam).
The best international festivals
With about 175 different nationalities, Rotterdam is a true international city. This is supported by the many international festivals that are organized every year. We will give you a few highlights.
The festival season starts in January with the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where talented new filmmakers from all over the world showcase their work. Next up is the North Sea Jazz festival, hosted in Ahoy Rotterdam each July. Many Jazz legends have performed at this festival that was first organized in 1976 and is now known globally.
A few weeks later, about 1 million visitors enjoy the explosion of color, joy, music and creativity of the Summer Carnival. During the highlight of the festival, the street parade, over 2.500 dancers participate with one mission: to make you dance!
Of course, these 3 festivals are only a fraction of the many festivals that Rotterdam hosts each year. For an overview of all the festivals, click here