“My mother had come to the Netherlands as a political refugee and insisted that I come too because I was misbehaving at my aunt’s house,” Donkarleon laughs. At the time, he had been living with his aunt in France for a year. Most people in Rotterdam know him for his music, but he came to the Netherlands in 1994 to play soccer, except for his mother. He came to the Netherlands in 1994. “At the time, I still thought I could become a professional soccer player,” he laughs again. Yet he is semi-serious: when he came to the Netherlands at the age of 17, he was in talks with several professional soccer clubs. “But my aunt didn’t really believe in that. She thought that soccer or culture was something you did alongside your studies or job.” Nevertheless, Donkarleon received an offer to play for Spijkenisse. He moved from his mother’s house in Vlissingen to a youth hostel in Hellevoetsluis.
Two years later, he stopped playing football and rejoined his mother, who had since moved to Rotterdam. He spent a year in London and three years in Antwerp, but in 2005 he got his own place in Schiebroek. “I haven’t left since.”
Black Pete
One of his first encounters with Rotterdam was Black Pete. I was shocked when I saw all those Black Petes running around me, I didn’t know what it was. I wanted to understand, so I asked people, but I didn’t speak enough Dutch. I noticed that people became uncomfortable with my questions.
Summer Carnival
Since that experience, things have only gotten better. “I already thought the Netherlands was pretty cool, but Vlissingen, where I first arrived, wasn’t very multicultural. When I lived in Rotterdam and experienced the summer carnival for the first time in 1997, I saw so many cultures together for the first time. Then I ate the most delicious Moroccan and Surinamese dishes. That’s when I realized that Rotterdam offers you the opportunity to get to know the best of the world. It saves you the cost of a plane ticket,” he laughs.
“That’s what I cherish about Rotterdam. I’ve lived in many countries, so when I see more people from other countries, it gives me a warm feeling. It makes me feel at home. That’s when I fell in love with Rotterdam.”
Cultural chameleon
Despite the many cultures he found in Rotterdam, there weren’t many people from Congo. “So I consciously started mixing with people from other cultures: Afghans, Iraqis, Moluccans, and Surinamese. I wanted to bond with them. I would advise others to do the same; that way, you experience the many sides of Rotterdam.” That came easily to Donkarleon as a “cultural chameleon,” as he calls himself. “I can adapt easily. When I’m with Turkish or Moroccan friends, I also start talking more like them. That’s how I learned Dutch. I was just thrown into a secondary school class without knowing a word of Dutch. But I just gave it a try and joined in. And that’s how I succeeded. Even though my Dutch was still poor when I graduated. But But I think that six years after arriving here, I spoke Dutch really well.”
Culture shock
In 1999, he worked with the municipality and various young people to promote more cultural diversity in music and nightlife. Among other things, he wanted people of color to no longer be refused entry to certain clubs. “We heard that people were being discriminated against. So we wanted to change this, but at the time we were dealing with older men who all thought we were crazy. Still, we did it. Since 2001, Nighttown, now ‘n Wow, and Calipso have also allowed people of color to enter. There were also more activities for young people in community centers and places like the Kunstbende.”
Music, food, and independence
Although he was able to discontinue his Cultuurschok initiative in 2004, he still makes music. Characteristic of this is the sound of the guitar, which comes from Congo. “The rhythm comes from the Congolese regions. You can also hear it in Cuba and Haiti, because Congolese people live there too.” And he preserves more Congolese customs in Rotterdam. “Every year, we celebrate Congolese independence with a Dutch foundation in Rotterdam with various activities, which I also celebrate. And my DNA needs Pondu; that’s cassava leaves cooked in palm oil with dried fish. My wife doesn’t cook it, so I get it from my cousin and mother every month.”
Down-to-earth attitude
He is now a true Rotterdammer. “Even when people ask me where I’m from, I say Rotterdam.” He has also adapted to Rotterdam culture. “Just act normal, that’s crazy enough.” I’ve been to Amsterdam, Paris, and London, but I’ve noticed that this down-to-earth attitude is really typical of Rotterdam. And I’ve adopted it. I also pass it on: abroad, but also to my children.
Migration as a butterfly
He therefore has a positive outlook on Rotterdam’s future. “The city has experienced some unrest in recent years, for example with Leefbaar Rotterdam. Politicians have only highlighted the negative aspects of migration. And the Dunya festival has also disappeared. That’s a shame, because it was a way of spreading love. But maybe it was too early. I’m curious to see how the new mayor will portray the city. I hope we will celebrate more the fact that we are together with so many cultures. I want to show the positive side of immigration: by passing on cultures, you preserve them. Otherwise, they disappear. Migration is like a butterfly; it is a transformation that creates something new. And I am positive; I have made my contribution to Rotterdam, which young people can now benefit from. I believe that a new generation will come to power that will continue this and take Rotterdam further.”