Successful opening of Forty Women to Never Forget exhibition

Friday, Sept. 13 marked the opening of the traveling exhibition “Forty Women to Never Forget,” about the history of the Turkish and Moroccan women’s movement in the Netherlands, at emancipation center Vrouw en Vaart in Amsterdam.

The traveling exhibition brings to life the history of the HTKB (Hollanda Türkiye Kadinlar Birligi, founded in 1975) and the MVVN (Marokkaanse Vrouwen Vereniging Nederland, founded in 1982) in a collection of impressive video stories.

It was a beautiful day with engaging guest speakers who talked about the importance of preserving these stories for Dutch history, a voice game in which fragments of the stories of the women interviewed were reenacted, a tissue session with artist Rosa Smits, and of course the many beautiful and moving reactions to the exhibition.

This special project gives a voice to the women who have paved the way for many others over the past 47 years. Their strength and stories deserve to be heard and cherished,” Esmah Lahlah, Member of Parliament (PvdA/GL)

_{Foto: Saskia Moerbeek in gesprek met Esmah Lahlah, Tweede Kamerlid (PvdA/GL).}

_{Photo: Theater based on excerpts from the stories of the women interviewed.}

Afterwards, guest curator Karima Aissaoui was a guest on NOS’ radio program “Met het Oog op Morgen,” where she talked with Chris Kijne about the women who have worked for others in the shadow of ‘mainstream feminism’. The broadcast can be listened to here. 

_{Photo: Textile art with photos of the women involved made by Nora Hendriks}

The traveling exhibition can be seen at Emancipatiecentrum Vrouw en Vaart in Amsterdam through Oct. 7, and at Ru Paré, until Oct. 24. After that, the exhibition will also be on display in The Hague (St. Yasmin), Rotterdam (Dona Daria), Utrecht and Eindhoven. Keep an eye on this page for updates and exact locations.

Thanks to all the wonderful women who told their stories and, of course, everyone who participated in this wonderful project.

Want more information about this project? Then click here.

Photos by Marlise Steeman.