Unity in diverity
photo expo.

September 04.09.221 to 12.09.2201

Rotterdam centrum

If people feel connected to each other, this can contribute to social cohesion. After all, they share a common identity. This connection can be strengthened by visualizing each other.

It is important to show the world that Rotterdam is one of the few cities that can truly handle a multicultural society. 

Here you will find representatives from all over the world, living together in a respectful city. A city where people stand up for each other regardless of what background the other has. The aim of this expo is to further strengthen this bond. “Telling the story from present to future”.

For this project, photographer Houcem Bellakoud captured portraits and artistic photo series of various individuals from the 175 different nationalities living in Rotterdam.

Each individual tells their unique story: stories about their favorite spots in Rotterdam; their family’s settlement in Rotterdam; the journey they made to and in Rotterdam; what they find so special about Rotterdam; who is the real Rotterdammer; their vision of the future of Rotterdam.

Rotterdammers are jointly proud of our city. Houcem wants everyone to get an impression of Rotterdam through the photo series and accompanying stories.

Who is Rotterdam? The 175 different nationalities are given a face and story.

This event kicked-off with 21 nationalities:

  • Angola
  • Aruba
  • Bonaire
  • Bosnia
  • Cape Verde
  • Colombia
  • Croatia
  • Curaçao
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Italy
  • the Netherlands
  • Nigeria
  • Marocco
  • the Maluka
  • Surinam
  • Tanzania
  • Tunesia
  • Turkey
  • Vietnam
  • Venezuela