First edition on 8 May: ‘Verhalen van de Schans – 400 years of labour migration to the Zaan region’
The heritage organisations at Zaanse Schans are launching a joint programme this spring under the title “Verhalen van de Schans”. A fresh perspective on the Zaan region. The organisations are joining forces to tell stories together about the rich and multifaceted past of the Zaanstreek. The first edition on Thursday, 8 May, will focus on 400 years of labour migration to the Zaanstreek with guest speaker Prof. Dr. Leo Lucassen, the leading expert on the migration history of the Netherlands. An evening on the Zaanse Luilakt tradition will follow in early June.
Every edition of Verhalen van de Schans. A fresh perspective on the Zaan region focuses on a different historical Zaan theme. Especially for those who want to delve into the stories behind the landscape, buildings and people on the Zaanse Schans. With presentations, tours, storytelling and other public activities, a different historical theme comes to life at several locations each time. Because with mass tourism, you would almost forget how the Schans was once created: as a place where Zaanse culture is preserved, shared and experienced. Verhalen van de Schans brings this original character back to the foreground, as an invitation to all Zaankanters and interested parties to (re)discover this rich historical area.
8 May 2025 – “400 years of labour migration to the Zaan region”
The kick-off on 8 May will focus on labour migration: an essential part of Zaan’s history. Since the 17th century, workers, craftsmen and entrepreneurs from home and abroad have been migrating to the region to work and live here. Around this theme, the Zaans Museum presents the small family exhibition Groetjes uit de Spaghettiflat – a playful presentation on labour migration. Former resident of the Zaanse Spaghetti Flat, Francesco Pepe, tells this evening what it was like to grow up in the Spaghetti Flat as the child of a migrant worker. Francesco was also the initiator and contributor to the book De Spaghettiflat (2009) and the documentary of the same name (2007). Imre Besanger, head of Education and creator of the exhibition, zooms in further on labour migration in the Zaan region. Next, Leo Lucassen, director of the IISH and historian in the field of labour and migration history, takes us through Dutch labour migration through the centuries.
One area, many stories
With this joint programme, Stichting de Zaanse Schans, Museum Zaanse Tijd, vereniging De Zaansche Molen and the Zaans Museum join forces. It is a step towards a more connected presentation of the area’s unique cultural heritage. Each organisation has its expertise, and this cooperation provides space for the many stories that make this place so special.
For the full programme on 8 May: www.zaansmuseum.nl/verhalen-van-de-schans.