Efteling's Fata Morgana: A Problematic Depiction of the East? 

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A redditor on r/Efteling made a genuinely interesting critique: "Ton van der Ven (the designer of Fata morgana) went to Marocco to get inspiration and to buy authentic materials to use in fata morgana. He put thought into how to display the different social classes and got help from the locals. The housewife of the family where he stayed helped him by teaching him some Arabic to use for the texts in the attraction. The drawings of Anton Pieck that he was inspired by where originally drawn in Marocco too, so that's not just from a 1001 arabian night fairytale book. Pieck visited Morocco in 1976." They recommend we "watch the documentary on Huis van de vijf zintuigen 'the making of Fata Morgana,' and read the book "De efteling: kroniek van een sprookje."

As someone who has studied Orientalism, as well as decolonisation, and actually having lived in the Middle East, I can see why the Fata Morgana would seem inconsiderate and misrepresentative to some. I am personally also a little baffled as to the fact that the Efteling has not received more critique on this ride. However, the Fata Morgana is also not meant to be a representation of the Middle East per se; as you mentioned, it is based on 1001 Arabian Nights, and those who believe the Fata Morgana to be an accurate representation would be misinformed themselves. As a huge fan of the Efteling, I can also say that they are working on decolonising their park with alterations or complete removal of certain rides which I very much commend. As far as I'm aware the Efteling also makes no claim that it is meant to give you a 'taste' of the Middle East, and rather, as in line with the rest of their theme park i.e. complete fantasy, fairytale, and old children's tales. I don't believe this was in the video, but at one point there is also a giant who is protecting the treasure room which is clearly fantastical. The comment that mentions that Anton Pieck and van der Ven going to Morocco doesn't immidiately make it less problematic because at the end of the day it is still designed or created through the lens of an 'other' i.e. Dutch white men. But taking inspiration from original Moroccan designs and engaging with the people there shows they made an effort at least. In general, it is good to not only look at what the Occident is doing in terms of depicting the Orient, but also looking at Arabian folklore and designs for example. Whilst still being fantastical, I can say that some elements of the designs in the Fata Morgana are very much what was present historically in the Middle East, including their more 'problematic' sides. It also has positive depictions such as the scientist (or wizard) who is standing in front of beakers etc. as the Middle East was a frontrunner in science and math at a certain point in history I believe. I think it's very easy in our current social and political climate to draw on the potentially problematic nature of things, and many times rightfully so, but that's why it's important to present a balanced view and argument as to why something may or may not be harmful, with historical backgrounds from both sides. All that being said, I do find the Fata Morgana to be an interesting case study through the lens of Orientalism, but at the end of the day the Efteling and ride itself make clear this is fantastical journey, and not one to be representative. Anyway, I sincerely hope no one experiences this ride and expects the Middle East to be like that 😅

A few thoughts. I am Dutch myself and I absolutely adore the Efteling. I always describe it as "Disneyland but with a soul" and I would recommend anyone visiting the Netherlands to take a day and pay it a visit. I recognize that reading Dutch words is very tricky for non-Dutch speakers. Either looking up the pronunciation or a small text card on screen would help. Anton Pieck (Peak) was the artist and the area is Anderrijk (Ander-Reich). Okay, that out of the way, yes, there are issues with the depictions of different cultures all through the park, although some of these have been addressed over the last couple of years (sparking heavy protests by some people who thought the Efteling had gone 'woke'). I wonder if Fata Morgana would be designed the same way now that it is 35 years later. Actually, IIRC, some of the figures in Fata Morgana were also changed. (I checked, and it was updated in 2018, article here in Dutch, although they mention it was more of a repair and maintenance job but I still believe some of the figures were changed). I don't think I ever noticed the Arabic lettering anywhere, to be honest, but that is probably part of the issue, that it is just decoration to people who don't read Arabic. (Kind a like Egyptian hieroglyphs never making any sense) Then the last point is that the entire park is imbued with and founded on fairy tales, so in principle there is a distance between the fairy tale depiction and experience of other cultures and the actual, real world, modern experience in situ. But I recognize that it can lead to lines being blurred or to preconceived notions. If someone's entire idea of the modern middle east is based on Fata Morgana, yeah, that would be a real problem.

Really interesting perspective I hadn't considered before. Looking forward to the rest of this series!

Wow love the history

A compelling argument

Dude Are you kidding with this? It is LITERALLY based upon a Fairy Tale, and in no way is supposed to be taken as any form of reality. You nailed it with your last line, yet you so far appear to not even listen to your own critique I haven't watched part 2, but so far my feedback is according to part 1. My opinion is that the ride doesn't have to be realistic because it is not trying to be real to any part of actual culture, and if does nor have to worry about any modern issues because it does not attempt to represent authentic modern culture in any way, shape, or form.

I’m sorry but do you think fata morgana is a bad thing or racist? Because I can’t really tell what your opinion is.

Decolonize theme parks for real

Guys....this is totally not cultural essentialism, because, well, IT IS.