One of the willow artworks on Utopia Island in Almere was set on fire on Saturday morning, and firefighters extinguished the blaze. The island, which was part of the Floriade World Garden Exhibition in 2022, is freely accessible and has several artworks, including the Composttheater, where the damaged work was located. There had reportedly been several acts of destruction on the island recently, including the burning of another artwork that could be repaired. Designer and administrator Xavier San Giorgi said the damaged work had cost thousands of euros; it is not yet clear whether it can be restored.

Security on the island has been discussed previously. The municipality had announced additional supervision by enforcement officers and police. Utopia’s administrators have proposed tolerated habitation as a possible way to reduce the nuisance, while Leefbaar Almere had also suggested developing tiny houses. The municipality said that was not possible at that location because it would hinder the first phase of Hortus, planned to include 580 homes, but it does want to examine whether temporary housing can soon be provided in the area of Stichting Weerhoud. San Giorgi wants to raise the situation with politicians again.