“I quickly felt at home, because Rotterdam is a port city, just like Havana,” says Abel from Cuba. He first came here in 2009 when he was invited to play at the famous North Sea Jazz and Black Summer festivals. “After that visit, I did some visits and interviews in Rotterdam. And I wanted to study at Codarts. Because in Cuba, you can only study contemporary music, not classical music. And the first school for Cuban music was set up by a Dutch musician.” He received a scholarship and was able to make his dream come true. At the age of 24, he started his studies at Codarts in 2010.
Multicultural anonymous port
“The first time I came here, I saw something different from what I was used to, but I immediately felt at home because Rotterdam is also a port. Ports are always multicultural because many people travel to and from them. Rotterdam is not that big, but it still gives you the feeling that you can be anonymous. The fact that part of it was bombed during World War II has resulted in different areas with different types of architecture. That always gives me the feeling that I am already traveling when I walk around the city. So I didn’t have to make any effort to feel at home.”
He also loves the freedom and opportunities. “Cuba has a totalitarian regime, so you can’t be free there. Here you can. Everyone dresses and behaves how they want. I’ve really learned the balance between individualism and community here. This city also gives me the platform to work on myself as a person and as a project. And I met my girlfriend during my studies.“ Still, he went to Amsterdam for two years. ”I came back because I can continue to learn in Rotterdam. It’s so diverse here that you learn to think and see things from different perspectives. That way, I can learn about people, music, and art.”
Other realities
To learn even more, he tries to connect with different kinds of people. “At first, I was in a bubble of other expats, but I wanted to connect more with the city and other people who live here. I connect with my students, Dutch or international, and I try to put myself in their shoes. That way, I can learn about more realities than the one I’m in. For example, I was recently at a performance where people applauded. The organizer stopped the applause and said it wasn’t a performance. That’s when I realized that there are different realities and I don’t get to experience them all, partly because of the language. There are many communities here that have something to say, their own history and music. I don’t get to experience enough of that right now.”
Rotterdammer
Now he is a proud Rotterdammer. “Two years ago, someone asked me on the street where I was from. I said Cuba, but that person said, ‘No, you’re a Rotterdammer.’ Look at how you dress, how you move, and how you dress. And I looked at myself and said, ‘Yes, that’s right.’ I would like us all to feel like brothers and sisters in Rotterdam. Currently, there are still different communities, which is nice to see, but personally, I would like to see more interaction between those communities. It does happen to some extent, but there is room for improvement.
Representing Cuba
Nevertheless, he still follows certain Cuban traditions. “In Cuba, we are very hospitable, we make people feel at home, and we share everything, which I think is very important. I love helping people.” He also incorporates Cuba into his work as a pianist. “I am aware of what it means to represent Cuba and how I show that in my art. So I think carefully about what Cuba means to me and to the world and what Cuba really is. I can now analyze that well from the outside.”
Hard work and pragmatism
Abel Marcel already has many characteristics that are known to be Dutch. “I am a bit direct. People say that it is also a Dutch habit to work hard and not give up; that was already part of my nature. But now I wake up even earlier than I used to. I did learn that discipline in Dutch culture. I also like pragmatism. Sometimes you don’t have to think long about what to do, you just know. Just do it. You don’t have to analyze it.”
Focus
That’s what he would advise other newcomers: just do it! “The great thing about moving to a new place is that you can learn there. So learn from every corner of Rotterdam and every custom. And be aware of your goals. Don’t forget why you came here. Because Rotterdam gives you the space to develop yourself, as long as you focus on it.”