“My parents were left-wing, and that was dangerous in South America,” says Javier from Uruguay. When he was three, he and his family fled to Argentina. “But when I was seven, we had to flee again. There were many dictatorships in South America at the time. So this time we went to Europe. My parents actually chose Spain, but through UNESCO, we were able to go to the Netherlands.”
That’s how Javier and his parents arrived in the Netherlands as political refugees, where they stayed until he was thirteen. “Then we went back to Uruguay because the dictatorship there was over.”
Wide streets, green spaces, low-rise buildings, space, and cultural diversity
Yet, he now lives back in the Netherlands—in Rotterdam. This city doesn’t necessarily make sense. He studied in Enschede and therefore considered living there. “But I didn’t feel comfortable there. The city was too monotonous, and I missed the cultural diversity.” He found it in Rotterdam. “When I first walked past Central Station, I heard conversations in different languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English, and Dutch. That felt much better to me.” It felt like home, and that wasn’t just because of the different nationalities in the city. “I always had a connection with Rotterdam. The city reminds me of Uruguay: the wide streets, the greenery, the low-rise buildings, and the space. Rotterdam felt right immediately.”
Rotterdam’s Hard Work and Perseverance
He made the city his home. “It’s not always easy to find your way, but Rotterdam is a city where you can grow. There are so many different people that you never feel alone.” Meanwhile, Javier has also adopted some of the Rotterdam mentality. “In Rotterdam, you learn to work hard, not complain, and persevere. That’s something I’ve discovered in myself. I’m proud of my Uruguayan background, but I also appreciate the Rotterdam attitude.”
Dutch language, Uruguayan culture
After returning to the Netherlands at 26, Javier had to get used to Dutch again. I spoke the language of a thirteen-year-old, so it was a real transition. It was bizarre when I started dreaming in different languages and got headaches. That’s when you realize you’re truly living in the new language.
All though he speaks Dutch perfectly now, Javier retained his Uruguayan culture. “Salsa dancing was a way to hold on to my Latin American roots. I met my wife while salsa dancing, and that’s how I found a bridge between my Uruguayan culture and life here.”
He often drinks mate with her or friends. “It’s a kind of tea that you share with friends. It’s not a thirst quencher, but a way to be together. It’s a ritual that you share with others. We often did that with friends from Uruguay, but after the coronavirus pandemic, we drink it with smaller groups.”
In addition to dancing and drinking, he has also brought drumming from his culture. “In Uruguay, I did a lot of percussion, and here in the Netherlands, I still play my three Uruguayan drums. This helps me preserve my roots.”
A balance between two worlds
He advises other newcomers to find this balance: “Stay true to your own culture, but also make sure you become part of the culture of the country you are in. You can’t just look at society from the outside. You have to belong, but also preserve your culture and pass it on to the next generation.” In this way, he passes on his native language, Spanish, and his culture to his children. “But at the same time, I give them the freedom to adapt to Dutch culture.”