After living for so many years in the Netherlands, we started to appreciate the idea of a community of Romanians, we started to understand that it would be very good to find out about one another, who we are, why we are here, why we feel good in this country.
And so the project Noi Rădăcini – New Roots – was born: a format based on short interviews, which will be published every week for a year. 52 interviews in total.
Who is it for? First, to say that Romanians feel good when living in the Netherlands. We can collect their stories, some different from the culture and traditions they left behind, and we can learn from them. We, Romanians, want to learn about other Romanians, to understand the different facets of living and being successful in the Netherlands.
Second, Noi Rădăcini wants to be a credible source of information for the Dutch people, focusing on the good things Romanians actually do in the Netherlands, from things that are tangible and easy to appreciate, to less tangible things that nevertheless make the Dutch society work.
There is also a third reason for Noi Rădăcini to exist, a reason perhaps only meaningful to the authors: we were and remain curious about Romanians living in the Netherlands. Who are these beautiful and courageous people?
“I think success is something very personal. To me, success is when you have as peaceful a life as possible, without major problems, without dramas. To have enough in all the aspects of your life so that you feel good. From this point of view, I think I’m a successful person. I get to do what I wanted, I like it, and I’ve also found the ideal partner, who loves me and also loves Romania.”
I’ve learned to stop labelling, to make things relative. I’ve learned that you’re not the only one supposed to win, but you need to let the other one win as well; and that you need to think in perspective. I’ve learned you cannot accomplish anything on your own.
The Dutch world has taught me, above all, that today is the most important day of my life, and that I should cherish it in all its splendour, especially as it draws to a close.
Copyright Noi Rădăcini – ©
