Reading time 5 minuten
When home can no longer be home…
What is the meaning of home? What does home mean to you? Have you ever thought about this? What if your house can no longer be your home? When you have to flee your native country and a roof over your head is no longer self-evident, home takes on a different meaning.
Passion for cooking
SAAD HAS BEEN LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS FOR 1.5 YEARS
"Home is the place where I feel free and where I can be myself. The fact that I can have a conversation with my friends is an example of freedom. Unfortunately, freedom cannot be taken for granted. A year and a half ago, I fled Syria. I was forced to leave my father's farm and my family.
My great passion is cooking. For a few months now I have been cooking in a restaurant in Amsterdam as 'Chef de Parti'. There I get to work. I think that's incredibly valuable. My focus is on the future. Family and work are the most important things in life for me. I want to continue working as a chef and make my dream come true. My dream is to have my own restaurant in the future. Probably a French one. French cuisine is my favorite. I used to work with a French chef in Lebanon for two years. That was awesome."
Comforting eyes full of love
JASMINKA HAS LIVED IN THE NETHERLANDS FOR 28 YEARS
"I am blessed with two nationalities: Bosnia and the Netherlands. I am from Bosnia and I have been living and working in the Netherlands for more than 20 years. The fact that I have a little bit of both nationalities feels like a blessing. The core of 'home' is where my mother is. She lives in Bosnia. If I don't feel well, all I have to do is look at her and she knows enough. Her eyes comfort me, encourage me, and radiate love.
The Netherlands is the country where I am free. Where I can be myself. In small moments, such as on the train, I can suddenly realize that I am free. I will never take that for granted, because I have also known the other side. I had to flee for my life when the conflict broke out in Bosnia. That's a part of me. I have finally been able to accept this part after years. The road to get there was not easy. So now not only do I live in a free country, but I am also freed from my traumas. No one is taking that feeling away from me."
Love is my home
OKAN AND HILAL HAVE BEEN LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS FOR 3 MONTHS
"Okan, my husband, is my home. When we're together, everything is good," says Hilal. "For me, too, love is my home. My wife Hilal. We've known each other for 12 years, since university. Hilal is a software engineer and I am a consultant. Four months ago, we had to leave our country, Turkey, for political reasons. There is a lot of mistrust on the streets. In Turkey, for example, you don't smile on the street. This does happen in the Netherlands. A smile gives a warm feeling. You feel seen and accepted.
Home is also sharing. We form a close-knit community in the shelter. For us, it is the family that we have to miss in Turkey." Hilal: "In Turkey, we were living close to our family. I miss them very much." Okan: "We share our stories with the community and are there for each other. That, too, is home for us. Our parents taught us to always see the good in people. Despite the fact that we had to leave our homeland, we keep trying."
Home sweet home
NOUR HAS BEEN LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS FOR ONE YEAR AND THREE MONTHS
"For me, safety means the place where I am welcome and where I can be myself. Acceptance. For me, that place is in the studio in Amsterdam where I work, but also in the shelter. The shelter is a close-knit community.
Currently I work as a clothing maker together with designer Fares. He teaches me the details of the craftsmanship. Behind the sewing machine I come to life. Making and designing clothes is really my passion. Soon I'm getting married, Farez is going to help me make my own suit. I used to dream of having my own brand when I grew up. After everything I've been through, I've learned what really matters. Now the most important thing in my life is my fiancé and family. I dream of having my own house and a big family. Home sweet home."
Sounds of home
OLGA HAS LIVED IN THE NETHERLANDS FOR 1 YEAR
"I fled Ukraine with my daughter because it was unsafe there. Here in the Netherlands I feel safe. I don't have to live in fear now. At the same time, I'm also alone. I don't know anyone in this country and sometimes I think, what if something happens to me? Who will take care of my daughter? I don't have anyone to fall back on, which worries me a lot.
In our house in Ukraine we have a piano. My daughter loves to play the piano. To bring her house to the Netherlands a bit, I also bought a piano here. When I see her play, I think of home. It is a very small piece of Ukraine here in the Netherlands. I can't wait until we can go back to Ukraine, and I see her play at home there."
Home is more than four walls. For Saad, Jasminka, Orkan, Hilal, Nour and Olga, home means a sense of safety, acceptance, freedom or togetherness. What does 'Home' mean to you?
The pictures are made by Francesca Menghini and Paul Jaspers