Een Rotterdams dagbladpaleis. De grootstedelijke illusies van het Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad, 1927-1940

A Rotterdam Newspaper Palace. The grand city illusions of the Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad, 1927-1940

In October 1927, the Rotterdamsch Nieuwblad - the largest popular daily newspaper in Rotterdam - moved its headquarters to the very heart of the new city-center around Coolsingel and Hofplein. To add to the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the area and attract public attention, the roof of the Nieuwsblad building was adorned with an illuminated news trailer and a light tower. This not only reflected the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the area but also - literally - attracted public attention. Another strategy the Nieuwsblad cairied out was the staging of spectacular events on the square in front of its building, including 'live' demonstrations of international football matches on a large board, mounted against the facade, and the festive handing out of biscuits with aniseed comfits to celebrate the birth of crown princess Beatrix in 1938. While describing and analyzing these attractions, it becomes clearer and clearer that the Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad played a significant role on the local market for public entertainment.