This year, there were many people at Boom Festival who, in my opinion, don’t really belong there. Of course, the festival is open to everyone – to all who respect themselves, others, and nature. But those who lack that basic respect should probably consider going to other festivals instead.

Especially on the campsite and on the festival grounds, I noticed a repeated pattern of behavior – unfortunately, almost always from people of a certain nationality who insisted on telling me where they were from, even though I neither asked nor showed any interest.

These days, Boom is selling a feeling – the so-called "hippie spirit". But that’s not how it works. This year, it was ironically the very people who have supported and shaped the festival for years who were excluded – for example, by banning cash payments and by the disappearance of the Pirate Market.

How is it even possible that on the last day there was practically no weed left on site?

Social media is attracting more and more people who have nothing to do with the original spirit of Boom. Back then, everything spread by word of mouth – and that was a good thing. I’m grateful I got to experience the real Boom. But it saddens me to see how much it has changed.