The exhibition not only explores where people come from and their motivations for moving, but also the little things that they have had to get used to in the Northern Netherlands.
Translation by Thomas Ansell
Called Waar kom je weg? Zes eeuwen migratie naar Groningen(Where are you from? Six centuries of migration to Groningen), the exhibition runs between the 16thof March and the 16thof June. The Groninger Internet Courant reports that the exhibition is presented in both Dutch and English, meaning everyone can learn more about the stories and patterns of migration that have defined the region.
There is also an accompanying cultural programme, organised to answer the question Waar kom je weg?(Where are you from?). Throughout the exhibition, visitors are taken through each of the various waves of migration to the Northern Netherlands, beginning with Saxon and Huguenot migrants in the time of the Reformation. After this, the last 50 years of migration are put into focus, including considering the cultural traditions and norms brought to a new homeland by the various migrants.
Exhibits have been submitted by some of the many people who have moved to Groningen: an immigrant from the Basque Country submitted castanets, whilst one from Hong Kong shows the full range of cutlery required when serving a mixture of Chinese and Dutch food. One of the most harrowing exhibits is the empty case given over to a Kosovar woman.
The exhibition also draws attention to the sometimes-hidden history within the city of migrants: whilst a pizzeria or shoarma restaurant would not be given a second look now, at various points in history, both were new and (sometimes) disconcerting for Groningers.
