It may be 60 years since you've left the Netherlands or 30 years or only a few years, or maybe you were born from Dutch parents. But somewhere deep inside, you'll always be Dutch. At least, that's what the 26,000 members of the 'If You Ain't Dutch, You Ain't Much' group on Facebook are saying. So what does 'being Dutch' mean? How does it affect your daily life?
In 2011, Radio Netherlands Worldwide will be travelling to a number of traditional emigration destinations to take one last look at the story of three generations of Dutch expats and emigrants. It's a story that is far from over, but that has never yet been told in full.
Have your say!
We would like everyone who reads this to join us. After all, you are the real story. Which places and people should we make sure not to miss? Who wants to share his or her own unique story? How Dutch do you feel? What kind of experiences or information would you like to hear more about? And is there anything in particular you feel we should really get to the bottom of? Let us know on:
Twitter: @wereldomroep
Facebook: Facebook.com/Wereldomroep
Email:
Of course, letters are welcome too:
Expatredactie
c/o Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Witte Kruislaan 55
1200 JG Hilversum
THE NETHERLANDS
Canada
The first of our trips takes us to Eastern Canada: from Toronto to Halifax and everything in between. The journey starts on 19 september. Definitely included will be the 'Dutch Truck', which we will follow around New Brunswick as it delivers its typically Dutch goodies. Are you on the truck's route? Are there stories you would like to share with us - moving tales, unique tales or painful ones - about your emigration or that of your family? All tips and suggestions are welcome.
United States
From 10 october, we will be travelling around the Northeastern United States. We're planning a classic road trip, that starts in New York and then heads west. Out to Chicago and beyond: the American heartland, where generations of Dutch migrants and expats have made their mark. Do you live in New York State, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin or Iowa? And do you have stories to tell about your Dutch connection? Or can you help us find real Dutch cowboys or indians? Let us know!
E-mail deze pagina
Print deze pagina
In 1977 vertrok ik naar Iran om daar als Iran Air Stewardess te gaan vliegen. Een jaar later brak de revolutie aan en verliet ik als een van de laaatste nederlanders het land waar ik van was gaan houden. Met mijn hart nog in het Midden Oosten, kon ik niet meer wennen in Nederland en vertrok naar Bahrain om daar mijn vlieg carriere voort te zetten. Daar heb ik mijn Lebanese man ontmoet en na 10 jaar in Bahrain zijn wij vertrokken naar Hong Kong waar ik inmiddels 22 jaar verblijf. Nu mijn twee zonen, na een amerikaanse universiteits opleiding, hun eigen leven hebben, mijn man zijn carriere, begin ik terug naar mijn "roots" te verlangen. Als enig kind krijg ik de behoefte om de laatste paar jaar die mijn ouders nog hebben, met ze door te brengen.
My story isnot "unique". I reckon it's very typical of the children who came with our parents, in the 50s and 60s. I am enjoying following this "one last look" at how we fared. It is logical that Sigrid and Conny come with the perspective of Dutch journalists, who have to make their reports interesting and colourful enough to please their audience. They've certainly taken on a LOT! I do hope that they get to the bottom of how our parents' "plunge into the unknown" has had many benefits, after the hardships. Feels to me like I've been allowed to go "outside and play, in the sunshine" and open spaces of Australia, while understanding how gezellig, cosy and culture-rich the Netherlands can be. So nice to have been able to go back to, 5 times (so far) for a little while.
Jammer, jammer..
IK woon van af 1960 in Australia Maar van diep in ben ik Nederlander en zal ook altijd zo blijven . Nederland is mijn land waar ik geboren ben en land van al mijn voor ouders . emilie verhaegen .
Nieuwe reactie inzenden