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What is happening
Impression of the City Coalition in the Dutch press. International coverage will follow in the future.
 NewYearsConcert 2023Music heals and transforms. Under guidance of the magical Nederlands Blazers Ensemble an exchange develops between two choirs: TARAB Choir and Consensus Vocalis. They teach each other Fairouz & Bach. Unforgettable! Picture: Peter Lodder. Watch full concert here. |  Spread Good VibesDear friends near and far 💫 for everyone a beautiful Christmas and a peaceful NewYear. Let’s spread the #GoodVibes together🎄🕯️❣️ De Stadscoalitie connects & transforms. |  Film InsideoutThe pantomime theatre Insideout is the second theatrework of actor, director, filmmaker and artist Firas Kalousie in the Nederlands. A film by Nikita van Hoogstraten. |  STORIES MATTER #3Almost time for the Good Vibes Dinner! FunX correspondent Farzaad speaks with youth who recently arrived in the Nederlands. Hiyam (19) shares her story. "My passion for yoga en meditation keep me going in difficult times." |  Première film Tarab KoorDuring the private concert at Verhalenhuis Belvédère, on the thirteenth of December, the Tarab Choir also showed, for the very first time, their film “The Story of Tarab Choir: A New Beginning”. It is with pride that we now can share this with the whole world. |
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 STORIES MATTER #2On the occassion of the #GoodVibes Diner on the 22nd of December FunX writer Farry wrote this beautiful portrait of Hani who works at Foundation Mano. Hani's mission is contagious #togetherwemakeprogress 🌷♻️🌷 |  Theater InsideoutTheater"Insideout" is a pantomime that takes place on the 6th of December in Theatre de Banier, Banierstraat 1, Rotterdam at 13.30hr and 15.30hr. We are each others reflection. “Freedom is not there to enslave others, life is a dance in which anyone can find a rhythm and borders to cross." Director Firas Kaloussiyeh |  Free at lastFotun & Kholud speak about their life and future dreams. FunX the largest youth hip hop radio station is spreading Good Vibes together with De Stadscoalitie who organised and conducted the interviews #GoodVibes |  The Just CityUniversity of Utrecht invited the City Coalition to help design a mini-conference on 'The Just City' with a committed audience of city makers, researchers, architects, planners, municipalities, scholars and citizens. The City Coalition helps to unlock networks in order to create connections and enrich perspectives. This time with entrepreneur and community connector Sakina Bouyachfar and poet Ishmail Kamara. |  NBE NewYearsConcertWe are delighted to share with you our news that TARAB Choir directed by Majed Saraydeen is invited by Nederlands Blazers Ensemble - NBE again to contribute to the #newyearconcert2022 in Amsterdam Concertgebouw, three concerts 31st of december 2022 and 1st of January 2023. TV Broadcast of the concert via Dutch television at NPO 2 on 1st of January 2023 at 19hr. |
 FunX & Good VibesIn close cooperation with hip hop radiostation FunX De Stadscoalitie interviewed four new young citizens about their dreams, favourite music, wishes and advice for the future. A project in which we all experienced the slogan of FunX: 'Good Vibes'. |  Insideout6th December 2022 is the première of the Pantomime theaterplay 'Insideout' made and directed by theatermaker Firas Kalousie in close cooperation with new citizens n Rotterdam. “Our goal is to get rid of our masks and disclose the hidden truth about ourselves and others, that will lead to change and freedom.” |  PowerwomenEncounters sharing stories with powerwomen in #Rotterdam about life wisdom, dreams and work.🌷♻️🌷 Thank you 🙏🏼الف شكرا Amina Alhusseini, Stichting Mano, Leeszaal Rotterdam West, Stichting Wij Zijn Rotterdam en Krachtvrouwen Rotterdam West |  HighSchool Rotterdam600 students of High School Rotterdam 1st year students of social work encounter new citizens in Story House Belvédère. Listening to stories, asking questions, explore what is needed. About courage, about meaningful relations about breaking the stereotypes during the encounter. Also interested in a workshop Listening & Encounters? |  Coalition at FloriadeOn the 7th of October 2022 an international coalition of new and established professionals, architects, builders, engineers met at the innovative Floriade connecting nine nationalities, four continents during an inspiring tour about innovative building. #sustainable #biobased Thanks to Ministry of Interior Affairs, Floriade and Stichting Mano. |
 Talk of the Town#Tilburg 29th of Sept 2022 How do policies reach citizens? How to create connections with the neighbourhood? Yordi Lassooy Tekle (Cultuur in Harmonie) Esseline Van de Sande (Stadscoalitie) give a Talk of the Town about #CommunityConnectorsWork and reciprocity 🌷♻️🌷about training and ownership and the by 31 organisations undersigned national Filmmanifesto Community Connectors Work. |  Tarab ChoirPhotographer Peter Lodder took this unique portrait of the TARAB Choir directly after the 1st performance on the 21st of September International Day of Peace 2022. Do you want the Choir to sing for you or in cooperation with your orchestra or musicians? Bookings: |  Theater as TherapyFiras Kalousie, actor, writer and theatermaker creates workshops during which he inspires his audience to use theater techniques to play and learn about personal development that can lead into a theater piece. More info? |  Day of Peace21st of September has been declared by the United Nations as the International Day of Peace. The Nederlands Blazers Ensemble perform together with musicians from the whole world. One of them is the recently established international TARAB Choir in Rotterdam. |  Coalition of PowerwomenA group of international young women met in the inspiring context of the Floriade. We were mesmerised by the Dutch carillon playing music from all over the world, we shared our stories and discovered new technologies, drank coffee from Jemen, Japanese design and beautiful flowers and vegetables. Working together starts with encounters and sharing stories. |
 TARAB ChoirTARAB Choir is an international Choir in Rotterdam that revives century old heritage for future generations. "There is music for listening and music for the heart, that is muwashahaat." The choir performs for the first time on the 21st and 22nd of September 2022 on the International Day of Peace guided by het Nederlands Blazers Ensemble. |  Huygens HofwijckSummerwalk with coalitionpartners through Huygens Hofwijck in Voorburg. Parallels, inventions, encounters. Huygens wrote a poem about his garden and in it: Two Gates speak of more: "Be I greeting friend or guest. ‘t is not by one door yet by two open doors; The spacious entrance shows what is to happen indoors, And that friends are welcome to my bread and my wine, Not half, not whole, not once, but twice." Hofwjjck poem lines 1064-1068 |  Dutch National RadioOn the 4th of August 2022 Merel Wielaert presents "The Night of" a program of BNN Vara Dutch National Radio. She interviewed Esseline van de Sande. Topics: the Euphrates, the Arabic Spring, culture, soaps, music and more. Podcast in Dutch |  CityCoalition ConnectsDue to close cooperation with Mano Foundation we connect new and old citizens. A Landscape architect started working as volunteer with Storyhouse Belvédère, an architect received funding to pay his university admission, an interior designer and an architect started working via the Buildersworkshop, an artist wil start at Kidsatelier Punt 5. |  Statesecretary visits womensboatEric van der Burg, State Secretary for Justice & Security came on a working visit after a spontaneous letter from De Stadscoalitie, who was impressed by the inspiring example of the Mano Foundation, the Municipality of Rotterdam and Zorgwerk on the women's assylum boat: "People indicate that they especially appreciate the human factor. Volunteers and residents ensure a safe environment and a good relationship with the neighbourhood. Great initiative!" |
 TARAB ChoirThe international TARAB Choir by maestro Majed Saraiedin consists of 35 members of seven nationalities (Syria, Iraq, Libanon, Egypt, Tunesia, Turkey, Netherlands). People travel from all over the Netherlands to be present at the rehearals: "It is a fantastic opportunity to practice our unique heritage under guidance of an expert in Tarab." Find here the Facebook page of the choir. |  Landscape of my soulOn the 12th of June 2021, during Poetry International festival the new book of poet Ishmail Kamara, was presented. You can buy the book via our website or via Story House Belvédère. |  Routekaart SleutelpersonenCommunity connectors are vital in building bridges between their communities and the new society. Yet they are hardly ever paid for their urgent work. A film manifest signed by 31 organisations and a national policy should address this. During the congres of Mano Foundation Razan Damlakhi, Yordi Lassooy-Tekle and Esseline van de Sande met in a panel discussion about othe roadmap, interest group and lessons for sustainable change. |  Life in LimboIn the documentary serie Life in Limbo we encounter the lives of people who live in the Netherlands without papers. An insecure existence with risks and insecurities. How is it to live in a country where you can't exist? Our colleague Ishmail Kamara is one of the main characters in this serie. When he starts to talk people are mesmerized. Look here |  Master of ScentsDutch Perfume goes international. Master of Scents a beautiful publication in the Holland Herald of KLM. Welcome in Papestraat 15 to discover your unique tailormade parfume. |
 CitywalkCitywalk, celebrating the encounter! After two years of lockdown we invited our partners for a walk through the Rotterdam neighbourhood of Katendrecht by city guide, poet and writer Ishmail Kamara with room for singing, music, stories, poetry, lunch and the magic of the unexpected. |  Maestro Majed Saraiedin1st of May 2022 start of the international choir by maestro and expert in Tarab: Majed Saraiedin. This heritage comes from the Arabic-Andalusian tradition and deserves a big audience. Together with our coalitiepartners Dutch Blazers Ensemble, Storyhouse Belvédère, Foundation Droom en Daad and Prins Bernard Cultuur Fund we are able to realise and materialise this unique heritage. More info? |  Article in Financial TimesLalash Tahir and Esseline van de Sande published on 8th of April 2022 in FD about the labourpotential of 1st generation Dutchmen and what we can learn from other EU-countries. This article is building on the research onderzoek of Lalash Tahir and Julie Clar. |  New @CityCoalitionRafaella Karadsheh, a social psychologist at the City Coalition, has been working since April 2022. During her masters she specialized in stories. She contributes to recording the English stories. "I like working at De Stadscoalitie to listen to stories. I appreciate the role culture plays in people's values and the way they live their lives. Listening is the best way to learn from others." |  Day on the RoofDay on the Roof Day on the roof of your existence. Day dreaming, musing, looking in the far end. Farewell 2021, year of courage and patience. Trust as medicine. Trust in talent, hope and connection. Trust in we are more than one alone. Welcome 2022! Welcome New Year with all your surprises. Painting: Ehab Omaro Text: Esseline van de Sande |
 Magazine Social IssuesArticle by Esseline van de Sande in the winter edition of Magazine Social Issues December 2021. They work as servant leaders and connect government and professionals, neighbourhoods and communities. Their efforts are proven effective and efficient. Filmmanifest Community Connectors Work 31 organisaties and community connectors call for action to pay these experts and end injustice. |  Learning CrossroadsLearning Crossroads for inclusion of new Dutch citizens researches citizens’ initiatives whose mandates are centred on the promotion of the social participation and inclusion of newcomers in the Netherlands. The City Coalition is happy to join in this project that is strengthening our ties with the VU University. |  Radiomaker Sakina BouyachfarOp-ed 27-11-2021 via platform Nieuw Wij: Community Connectors are an example of the power of communities. |  Invest in Community ConnectorsKIS (Knowledgeplatform Integration and Society) published on 16th of November 2021 an article in which Esseline van de Sande, initiator of the Filmmanifest Community Connectors Work, reflects on the insights of the manifest. |  New @CityCoalitionSince November 2021, Donna Waltra, political scientist & Arabic language & culture, has been working at De Stadscoalitie and contributes to our external communication. She did her thesis research on talent and discovered that: "The City Coalition does exactly what gets me excited and energized, namely building bridges and bringing people together." |
 Language is movementPoetry Workshops with writer, spoken word artist Ishmail Kamara, more information via: info@stadscoalitie.nl |  Report Utrecht UniversityThree third-year students of Utrecht University researched The City Coalition and her methods. They came up with interesting advice and insights. It is important to reflect. Many thanks to Aysu, Fiona & Julie! Do you want to read the full report mail us info@stadscoalitie.nl |  Nomination Yodit JacobVote for Yodit Jacob, researcher at Pharos. She is nominated for the Encouragement Prize for Emancipation 2021 Joke Smit Award. Yodit is a radiant powerful leader creating urgent connections, giving voice to a large group of female leaders in society, former refugees, who's work is invisible & indispensable. |  Première FilmmanifestoOn the 16th of November at 16hr we are honoured to present our Filmmanifest Community Connectors Work together with 31 organisations all over the Netherlands who have undersigned this urgent manifesto. The premiere starts at 16hr online. More info via: esseline@stadscoalitie.nl |  Trailer Community Connectors WorkTrailer Community Connectors Work primeur in August 2021 in close cooperation with Pharos, Wikistad, City of Amsterdam, Buurtbaan. You want to join our movement? Mail us via: info@stadscoalitie.nl |
 New Voices enrich HeritageContribution to Faro Magazine 2021: From Treaty to Practice, about the vision and approach of the City Coalition. Click the link to download the magazine. |  Neighbour DayA well visited Neighbour Day June 2021 near the kitchen garden in Leidschendam, where the mayor, new and established citizens enjoyed gathering around the Ethiopian coffee ceremony carried out with love by Haimanot Belay, intercultural advisor. |  The Story of EhabEhab Omaro makes abstract paintings with many layers. He is inspired by the artists of De Stijl, in particular Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg. Read this inspiring story by Walter van Teefelen. |  Volkskrant article 2021Our article in the Volkskrant 4-1-2021 about Community Connectors and how they are all too often imprisoned in working as a volunteer. In case you have similar experiences in your municipality or as a grassroots community connector that you want to share with us, please contact us via the contact form on our website, greetings Team City Coalition |  Utrecht University CollegeIn 2020, three researchers reflected with community based research on the City Coalition methodology. From left to right an amazing team: Julie Clar, Fiona Wiggers and Aysu Amaha. Thank you for your insights! |
 Haimanot Belay receives Royal Dutch KnighthoodHaimanot received in April 2020 the Royal Knighthood for her tireless efforts, 25 yrs voluntarily work for the Dutch society in the field of health as 'key-person' creating social cohesion, well being and sharing knowledge about the Dutch law considering genital mutilation. Enriching our society with cultural manifestations and African/Ethiopian traditions. |  StoryHouse 2nd editionWatch the film impression about the unique second edition of StoryHouse on Dialogue where Easts meets West in the French Church in Voorburg in June 2019. |  DialogueRead how East meets West in a StoryHouse of dialogue in June 2019 several musicians, artists and craftsmen were given the stage to share their experiences, performances and exchange their ideas with the audience. |  Interview Stadscoalitie MidvlietOn the 13th of March The City Coalition organized in close cooperation with the municipality, SME's, MBO Rijnland and Platform Economy Labormarket and Education a Storyhouse about the theme: Loneliness. |  StoryHouse 1st editionWatch our film impression about this unique event in Veurtheater in Leidschendam in March 2019. |
 About LonelinessRead more a StoryHouse about loneliness, work, art and music on a rainy Wednesday at Veurtheater in Leidschendam with a jammed packed audience from all over the world. |  Hopefull 2019Wishing all a Hopeful 2019 with the inspiring story of Enas Oudeh, Jewelry maker, artist and entrepreneur. |  Working together with new citizensSeptember 2018 Interview Integration seems like a headache file for many municipalities. Esseline van de Sande tries to lead the way in working differently. |  Culture Prize 2018Ehab Omaro received on behalf of The City Coalition the Encouragement Culture Prize 2018 Leidschendam-Voorburg. |  Culture is economyOctober 2018 a booked Veur Theatre for the première of the short documentary film of the action research of ‘The City Coalition’. |
 Trailer City CoalitionAfter 4 years of action research we present our results in a trailer leading to a short documentary. |  Silkroute in Voorburg13th edition of the yearly Vlietfestival. The City Coalition is contributing with a concert & pop up bazar on the 14th & 15th of september 2017 |  Benefit ConcertImpression Benefit concert in september 2017: Enjoy world music. A concert thanks to director, maestro, Ney-player Majed Sarai Edin, Abovian Centre childrens choir, Monir Goran & Azar Tishe, Ako Taher en Nour Wahedi in cooperation with The City Coalition. |  Clockmakers cooperateMustafa Saeed and Jan Bert van Laren, owner of the clock shop 'The Hands of Time' in the Herenstreet in Voorburg have met each other during the pop up Bazar in September 2017 and have signed a contract to work together. |  Connected by passionAlgemeen Dagblad Interview and article October 2017. "They don't speak each others language, but they share the passion for the same work. This passion creates the connection and mutual understanding." |
 Interview Pop-up BazarAn interview with Midvliet TV about the pop up Bazar in Voorburg. September 2017. |  Pop-up Bazar VoorburgRead the story of how 11 entrepreneurs cooperated on 27th and 28th of October 2017 with likeminded talents from all over the world during the Pop-up Bazar in Huygensquarter in Voorburg. |  Interview LeidschendamFirst pop-up Bazar in Leidschendam, a three day unique festival with music, stories, poetry, encounters, experiment, food, beauty, wine, art & jewelry in May 2017 by Midvliet TV. |  Connecting citizensThe City Coalition creates on 20th and 21st of May 2017 a first Pop-up Bazar, a connecting and innovative festival in Leidschendam. |  Christmas ConcertDecember 2016:This makes you happy, a concert in the famous Peperbus Church in Leidschendam were people from all over the world met, listened to music, sang together in Christmas spirit. |
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