Posted by Theo Muller on 9 January 2013 | 1427 Comments
Tags: community, dutch, New Zealand, create
I have been involved in the NetherlaNZ Foundation for a couple of years and the Trustees made me Chairman about a year ago. It’s been a full-on year and I have met more Dutch immigrants or second or third generation descendants of Dutch immigrants in that year than in all those years since I came to New Zealand in the 70’s. There are Dutchies everywhere and there isn’t one living soul in New Zealand who doesn’t know somebody of Dutch origin – surely no more than two degrees of separation! But what has taken me by surprise is the number of clubs, committees, incorporated societies, formal and informal groups of Dutch immigrants and their descendants and most of these groups have similar goals and objectives; bringing the Dutch community together socially or culturally by organising events, activities and projects, some of them with a local accent and others of a regional or even national nature. It is absolutely fantastic that there are so many motivated people wanting to be involved in these projects and make themselves available, roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. I take my hat off to those involved in the very successful Molen Project in Foxton. What an asset, not only for Foxton, but for the whole of New Zealand. The Dutch Connexion, another group of enthusiastic Dutch immigrants with a dream of ambitious proportions, wants to build a Dutch museum, “Ons Museum and Cultureel Centrum”. The drivers behind that project devote all their spare time to realising their dream. I salute you.
Over the last 20 years, the NetherlaNZ Foundation has also realised several major projects; I mention the recent travelling Anne Frank Exhibition and the annual World Press Photo Exhibition as examples of cultural events with links back to The Netherlands.
While I don’t wish to trivialise the enormous successes achieved by individual groups and organisations as clearly demonstrated above, I keep thinking about what we as Dutch immigrants and their descendants could achieve if we were somehow to work together, share resources, share talent, think as one.
I would be really interested in hearing what your thoughts are and invite you to post your response to the above. I personally think this would be a very useful debate.
“ bringing the Dutch community together socially or culturally by organising events, activities and projects, some of them with a local accent and others of a regional or even national nature” this is what it is all about for me, educating people on what’s out there... for example I only knew about the Foxton project when I drove through on my way to Wellington!
Posted by Annabelle, 13/01/2013 3:29pm (11 years ago)
Great post. If they are familiar with each other, it should make for an interesting game.
Posted by کاغذ دیواری های جدید لمینت سیم و کابل بازدید بفرمایید, 12/01/2013 6:07am (11 years ago)
I agree. It's the discussion that counts. Discussion and debate create awareness and awareness ignites interest and hopefully interest will lead to action.
Posted by Theo Muller, 09/01/2013 4:53pm (11 years ago)
In case the point was missed and readers stopped reading afther the first paragraphs.
What I would really like to see is bringing to NZ the diverse Dutch flavours and culture. Being that a Dutch film festival, Anne Frank exihibtion, World Press photo, trade exhibitions, anything contemporay that reflects on "Holland Now". Similar taking some of NZ's culture and people back to Holland so they can can see what their own eyes what Holland has to offer.
Yes, and that requires resources, and making choices as to what creates the most "value".
And we should be able to have that discussion without being labeled "negative" as it was never my intention to be negative.
Posted by Fokko (Frank), 09/01/2013 4:37pm (11 years ago)
I don't think that anybody wants to create a "mini Holland" within New Zealand. The point is that bringing those exhibitions etc that Fokko mentioned to NZ requires a lot of resources, none the least a great deal of money. Perhaps there is a better way of using scarce resources by working more closely together.
Posted by Theo Muller, 09/01/2013 3:56pm (11 years ago)
On behalf of the Embassy I would like to support your message and encourage people to show their interest and share their thoughts and views on working together as one Dutch community.
Posted by Christine Hofkens - Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, 09/01/2013 3:43pm (11 years ago)
Theo, you nailed with your observations on the Anne Frank and world Press Photo exhibitions. I can't see the point of (re)creating a mini Holland within New Zealand, that's not why we went here. What I do really like is bringing to NZ the diverse Dutch flavours and culture. Being that a Dutch film festival, Anne Frank exihibtion, World Press photo, trade exhibitions, anything contemporay that refelcts on "Holland Now". Similar taking some of NZ's culture and people back to Holland so they can can see what their own eyes what Holland has to offer.
Posted by Fokko (Frank), 09/01/2013 3:09pm (11 years ago)
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