Closing event: Stories of Belonging 
26th March at 2:30pm

Stories of Belonging is an exhibition and public program about the stories of our fellow neighbourhood residents in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, stories that explore where we can feel at home. Together with 36 students from Comenius Lyceum and the artists Mehraneh Atashi, Gershwin Bonevacia, Fouad Lakbir, Narges Mohammadi, Mark Nieuwenhuis en Bonnie Ogilvie we created a shared space: Stories of Belonging.

We have been listening to childhood memories, to music, we considered the clothes we wear and acknowledged our relationships with our friends, family, the city and nature. The 36 pupils and the artists involved have been selecting existing works of art and have also created new works for the exhibition. The music, sounds and art pieces together make-up the whole of stories that we would like to share with you.

The exhibition and the public programme started with and from the students. They wanted to create a place to gather with friends and family where music, images, colours and homely elements came together. We have created this basis at de Appel. During the public programme of Stories of Belonging, that took place every Saturday, we have built on this with six students under the guidance of Fouad Lakbir, Narges Mohammadi and David Smeulders.

On Saturday 26th March at 14:30 pm the students Beyda, Donovan, Hajar, Oumaima, Safae and Yahya will show what they have been working on for the last couple of weeks. They will present a new piece of art and new stories to the public. It will be a festive event with guided tours, storytelling recitations, DJ-sessions, and food and drinks. You are all very welcome to join us.

The full programme:

2:30:
Walk-in

3:00:
Welcome speeches and unveiling of the new art work by the young curators Beyda, Donovan, Hajar, Oumaima, Safae en Yahya

3:15-4:15:
Conversation with the young curators and artists of Stories of Belonging

4:30-5:30:
Storytelling- and music sessions: literary contributions by Rachel Rumai Diaz, Pete Wu en Lev Avitan. Music by Mark Nieuwenhuis en Florean Kruijswijk

5:30-6:00:
Free to visit the exhibition

18:00-19:00:
DJ-session with Narges Mohammadi and the young curators

19:00
Closing