The stories behind Rotterdam’s 170+ nationalities
Did you know that Rotterdam has residents from more than 170 nationalities? And that this makes it one of the most diverse cities in Europe? Time to celebrate this wonderful fact! Faces of Rotterdam does this by photographing one Rotterdam resident from each nationality and letting them tell their story. Why did they choose Rotterdam? What do they like about this city, and what don’t they like? They also give tips to the next newcomer. In this way, we breathe new life into forgotten stories and give the nationalities a face. We recognize each other in these stories. That connects us. And that’s how we celebrate the diversity of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Europe! Join us on this journey of discovery! Explore the portraits, dive into the stories, and be inspired by the diversity of Rotterdam.
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.
Audiovisual archive
All the portraits and stories of these Rotterdam residents of different nationalities capture the diversity of the city. This makes Faces of Rotterdam a kind of time capsule. In 100 years‘ time, we will still be able to see what Rotterdam looked like today.
Making connections
We not only put people of various nationalities in the spotlight, but also connect them. Everyone in the photo gives a tip to the next newcomer. This creates a link. They also come together, and you can meet them and ask them: why did you choose Rotterdam?
nationalities in Rotterdam
countries in the world
Poland, Violetta
“At work I sat with Dutch people instead of Polish to learn Dutch.”
Cambodia, Davan
“That’s the beauty of it: I get to enjoy both cultures.”
Ghana, Lydia
“Rotterdam is for everybody. You see that in places where people work, like offices and the police. There do people work with a different background.”
Venezuela, Rosaura
“I still eat hot meals for lunch – I never got used to just bread during the day.”
You can read, see and hear the stories of Faces of Rotterdam everywhere
Read
the stories on our website
Listen
to the podcast
Watch
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 launches on October 7 at Theater Zuidplein
Op Diversity Day, 7 oktober, lanceert Faces of Rotterdam alle portretten en interviews van 170+ Rotterdammers in en voor het theater Zuidplein in Rotterdam. Ook wordt de inclusie-vlag bekend gemaakt en gehesen. Alle portretten en de film zijn twee weken lang te zien...
Get to know the team behind Faces of Rotterdam
Initiator and photographer Robert Tjalondo noticed that Rotterdam had residents from no fewer than 170+ nationalities. He found these figures rather cold. He was curious about the people behind the numbers. Because every number represents a unique story, a journey that has led them to this vibrant city. With Faces of Rotterdam, he wants to celebrate the diversity of the city and promote greater understanding among all its residents.