Boerenzij: The Rural Side Book Exhibition Exploring Rotterdam's Cultural Migration Heritage

Boerenzij (2018-2019), meaning 'the rural side,' is a project exploring rural migration to Rotterdam-Zuid. It uses the historical nickname of the area as a starting point to examine the cultural contributions of rural migrants to the city through events, an exhibition, and various artistic outputs. The project collaborates with local citizens and institutions to uncover hidden rural cultures within the urban environment.

Boerenzij, also known as 'The Rural Side,' is a multifaceted project spanning 2018-2019 that delves into the phenomenon of rural migration to Rotterdam-Zuid. It uses the area's historical nickname, connected to rural workers who moved for harbor employment, as a lens to understand the ongoing urbanization and the cultural legacy of these migrants. The project challenges the perception of rural culture as an unwelcome addition to urban life, hypothesizing that migrant workers consciously or unconsciously retain their rural heritage. Through a year of private events and a public exhibition at TENT Rotterdam (October 10, 2019 - January 12, 2020), Boerenzij sought to give voice to diverse experiences and perspectives. Activities included neighborhood and soil investigations with an animation detailing the area's geological history, 'Table Talks' for memory exchange and map-making, 'Kale Dinners' for cultural celebration, visits to farms and community centers, and 'en plein air' drawing sessions capturing the harbor landscape. The project also commissioned 'balcony scenes' from artists observing the views from private balconies and culminated in an exhibition featuring a film, animation, objects, drawings, and more, fostering mutual learning and knowledge exchange.

The exhibition 'Boerenzij' was held at TENT Rotterdam from October 10, 2019, to January 12, 2020. Specific ticketing information is not detailed on this page, but visitors were directed to TENT for show details via a related link.