Riotous eviction of squat De Blaaskop

This historical photograph from January 13, 1982 shows the aftermath of the eviction of the squat known as 'De Blaaskop' on Wibautstraat in Amsterdam. The image captures an elderly man looking at the empty plinth in front of the Wibauthuis where a statue once stood.

The plinth bears the inscription 'DR F. M. WIBAUT 1859-1936 WETHOUDER VAN AMSTERDAM' (Dr. F. M. Wibaut, 1859-1936, Alderman of Amsterdam). Floor Wibaut was a prominent Dutch politician and social democrat who served as an alderman in Amsterdam and was known for his housing policies.

The 1980s were a turbulent time in Amsterdam's history, with housing shortages leading to widespread squatting movements (known as 'kraakpanden' in Dutch). The squatters' movement was particularly active in the Wibautstraat area, which was undergoing significant urban development.

This photograph represents an important moment in the social history of the building that would later become the Theo Thijssenhuis. Before housing educational institutions, this area was the site of political activism and social struggle that shaped Amsterdam's urban landscape.

The modernist building visible in the background is the Wibauthuis, which served as municipal offices before eventually being repurposed for educational use. This transformation from administrative center to site of protest to educational institution reflects the evolving role of public buildings in Amsterdam's urban fabric.

This image is part of a larger collection of press agency photos documenting social movements and urban change in Amsterdam during the latter half of the 20th century.