Pijn van Migratie EXPO

Pijn van Migratie tells the stories of Cape Verdean women who came to the Netherlands between 1960 and 1985 and are now 60 years or older. Their experiences differ, but they have one thing in common: the courage to build a new life in an unknown country.

In this personal exhibition, you will meet, among others, Angela da Cruz, who came to Rotterdam alone as a young mother, Ilda, who migrated at a later age, and Margarida, the mother of Annie van Anibel, who came to the Netherlands via Germany to work as a nanny. Their stories give a face to a generation of women who often remained in the background.

The women portrayed worked in cleaning, factories, and healthcare. They brought their families to the Netherlands and supported their community. While their husbands were often at sea or working in the Rotterdam port, these women also kept churches, associations, and self-organizations running.

Together, they form an important pillar of the Cape Verdean community in Rotterdam. With perseverance, love, and resilience, they not only built their own future but also contributed to the development of the city. Their stories show what migration costs, but also what it yields: the sorrow of saying goodbye, the longing for family and home, and the strength to start over.