The stories behind the 170+ nationalities of Rotterdam
Did you know that Rotterdam is home to more than 170 different nationalities? This makes our city one of the most diverse in Europe. It is time to celebrate that fact!
With Faces of Rotterdam, photographer and founder Robert Tjalondo captures one resident from every nationality. But it is about more than just a portrait. Most importantly, we document their unique stories. After all, why does someone from anywhere in the world specifically choose Rotterdam?
In these stories, you will discover what drives people and what they find special about our city. By sharing these stories, we see that everyone has their own reason to be here. This fosters understanding and connection.
Join us on this journey of discovery! Explore the portraits, dive into the stories, and be inspired by the people who call Rotterdam their home.
Celebrating diversity
We show that migration is an important part of Rotterdam’s history and identity. This is not only important for the past, but also for the present and the future. These stories remind us that we are all connected and that diversity is a strength.
An archive of stories
The portraits and stories of these residents form a unique collection. We are capturing the people of the city for future generations. This makes Faces of Rotterdam a digital time capsule. In 100 years, people will still be able to see who today’s Rotterdammers were, why they chose this city, and how they made themselves at home here.
Making connections
Rotterdam is more than buildings and landmarks. The city is shaped by the people who live here. By sharing personal stories about migration, finding a home, and life in Rotterdam, we create recognition and understanding. This is how we connect with each other and with the city. Together, these stories form the true identity of Rotterdam: a city of people.
nationalities in Rotterdam
countries in the world
Uzbekistan, Sardor
“Rotterdam is not perfect, but it’s old, raw and innovative.”
Libya, Elmahdi
“You can integrate in a society, by lowering down your temper for example, but also keep your own identity.”
Cameroon, Jannick
“Everyone is having a hard time – so let’s be kind to each other.”
Kazakhstan, Assel
“It’s a pity that spontaneous appointments are almost impossible.”
You can read, see and hear the stories of Faces of Rotterdam everywhere
Read
the stories on our website
Listen
to the podcast
Visit
the traveling exhibition
Nieuws
Faces of Rotterdam on NPO Radio 1
Het programma ‘De nacht is zwart’ van omroep Zwart op radio 1 besteedde aandacht aan Faces of Rotterdam. Presentatoren Lara Lauwigi en Oifik Youssefi spraken Willemijn de Koning over het project. Zij is zakelijk leider van stichting Kloofdichters, die Faces of...
Faces of Rotterdam offers a first glimpse into 170+ nationalities at the international film festival (IFFR)
Met ‘a glimpse into our 170+ nationalities’ geeft het Internationaal Film Festival in Rotterdam (IFFR) alvast een kijkje in de eerste portretten van Faces of Rotterdam. Dit wordt een multimediaal archief van en een audiovisueel eerbetoon aan alle nationaliteiten die...
Faces of Rotterdam travels through Rotterdam
Faces of Rotterdam will travel, with all the portraits and interviews of Rotterdammers of all the nationalities of the city, through the city. From Diversity Day, October 7th, the exhibition and movie will be seen for three weeks at Zuidplein theater in Rotterdam. A...
Meet the team behind Faces of Rotterdam
Initiator and photographer Robert Tjalondo noticed that Rotterdam is home to people from more than 170 nationalities.