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 still don’t feel at home, but still, it’s getting better and better. Through my work I come very frequently into contact with the structure of the Dutch society and I feel I’ve started to know it increasingly better.”
“The biggest reward is when a Dutch child thanks you for the lesson and they wish you a nice weekend. And there’s something else I like. Sometimes they come and ask me “Are you looking forward to the lesson? Because we are!” That’s a big deal for Dutch kids …”
“It’s always possible to fail, no matter the stage of your life. It’s hard to climb up, but very easy to slip back down.”
In an ocean of negativity and issues – I think that our current disorder is most likely triggered by a negative way of thinking – it is important for me to offer a kind thought, a smile, share what I know with the person next to me, give my help.
Copyright Noi Rădăcini – ©
