A Migration Museum Opens in a Hotbed of Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
Today, that note is on display alongside work by Willem De Kooning and Grayson Perry at a new museum in Rotterdam dedicated to human migration. Opened on May 15 by the Netherlands' Queen Máxima, the Fenix Museum is an eye-catching addition to the city's skyline. A 30-meter-high silver staircase, made of 4,000 square meters of polished steel and nicknamed 'the tornado,' erupts from the roof of the former warehouse, an architectural testament to the twists and turns of the migrant journey. Inside, there are works from Syrian artist Abdalla Al Omari and British-Nigerian Yinka Shonibare. One room features a labyrinth made of 2,000 suitcases sourced from migrants to and from Rotterdam.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-labubu-character-pop-land-beijing-china-LABUBUPARK0825-dff964dfa372483dbfe5ecfb3828a507.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
a day ago
- Travel + Leisure
You Can Visit the Whimsical Home of Labubus at This Theme Park in Asia
Sure, you can get a little stuffed Labubu to hang off your purse and feel perfectly on trend. But why stop there when you can book a ticket to China and jet off to visit the home of the furry creatures at Pop Land instead? In case you live under a rock or you've heard your teenager (or your adult friends) scream the word "Labubu" over and over without an ounce of context, let us educate you on this trend. Labubus are the work of Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. As NPR reported, Lung moved to the Netherlands as a child, where he became enamored with Nordic fairy tales about elves. This ultimately inspired the look of the furry, gremlin-meets-troll characters (who are known to be good-natured, though they can sometimes cause chaos) in his book series, The Monsters , which debuted in 2015 and became an instant hit. And, as Lung has noted, there are more than 100 different Labubus. While the books and toys will surely get you started, there's only one surefire way to prove your fandom: visiting Pop Land. The Pop Land theme park in Beijing, China. Pop Land, located in Beijing's Chaoyang Park, is the first theme park "dedicated to copyrighted designer toys," Beijing's official tourism website explained. That means it's home not just to Labubus but also to Molly, Dimoo, and other characters. "More than a place to snag adorable collectibles, it allows fans to step right into their favorite characters' worlds at Molly's Castle and interact closely with the beloved figurines," according to the website. However, before you book that flight, it's critical to note that this theme park is far from the likes of Disney or Universal. There are no major thrill rides that will get your adrenaline pumping. This is a far more laid-back experience where you can simply immerse yourself in the world of Labubus and their friends. A performer wears a costume of a character from Pop Mart's hugely popular Labubu dolls series while dancing for visitors at the Pop Land theme can enter through Pop Street, take part in interactive activities, and shop at the land's stores, which do have a ton of exclusive merch for super-fans. But before you go too far, just make sure to pick up your passport booklet so you can collect stamps of all the places you've seen in Pop Land along the way. Guests can make their way through the Labubu Adventure Forest, where they can spot characters for meet-and-greets and watch live performances. Once guests get hungry, Klook explained that they can make their way to the second and third floors in Molly's Castle for themed desserts like the Crybaby Chocolate Cake and the Labubu Strawberry Crepe. If this spot is too busy, try The Yum Explorer at the Dimoo Yacht Restaurant for more bites. A woman posing next to the character Mokoko. There are a few spots to play in the same way as a typical theme park, including an adventure playground filled with climbing walls, nets, mazes, and trampolines. Guests can also feel what it's really like to live in the universe through the augmented reality immersions. And, naturally, there are also plenty of places to stop to snap photos and videos for social media, which helped make the Labubus the stars they are today. Tickets to Pop Land start at around $12-$17 USD for adults, depending on the day. Tickets can be purchased online through or
New York Times
2 days ago
- New York Times
He Announced His Intention to Die. The Dinner Invitations Rolled In.
In early December, a 28-year-old Ghanaian artist and entrepreneur named Joseph Awuah-Darko announced on Instagram that he wanted to die. His battles with bipolar disorder had crushed his will to live, he said in a minute-long video, so he had moved to the Netherlands to pursue medically assisted death. The post started with Mr. Awuah-Darko in tears, saying, 'I'm just so tired,' then segued to a series of images of him having what looked like a pretty good time. Smiling and floating in shimmering blue water. Relaxing on a lawn in the shade of a tree. Pausing in contemplation on a wooden bridge. Three days later, he followed up with one of the stranger dinner invitations in the history of dinner. As he navigated the obstacles of an officially sanctioned end, he wrote in a post, he would launch what he called 'The Last Supper Project.' Anyone who wanted to cook an at-home meal for him could sign up on a calendar app linked to his Instagram bio. On the appointed evening, he would visit, and the assembled would converse, eat and connect. 'I want to find meaning again with people,' he said in the post, 'while I have time still left on earth.' Within a few days, thousands of people reached out. To date, Mr. Awuah-Darko has attended 152 Last Suppers. He has boarded trains to visit homes in Berlin, Paris, Antwerp and Milan. He has traveled to cities all over the Netherlands and to dozens of Amsterdam neighborhoods. Those who don't cook have treated him to high-end bistros, where a meal costs $100 per person, and to Burger King. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
North East water polo club's incredible training camp in the Netherlands
Five young North East athletes have had a flying start to the summer holiday after attending an international water polo camp in the Netherlands. Aston Walsh, Thomas Forrest, India Walsh, Kara Stanton, and Arwen Henderson, all members of Sedgefield Water Polo Club, joined 29 others on the England Talent Pathway to travel to Volendam from July 20 to July 24. They trained under the guidance of Olympic gold medal-winning coach, Paul Metz, alongside their Dutch counterparts, each aged between 12 and 16 years. The camp, which focuses on nurturing talented players with potential to represent their country in future, allowed the athletes to gain world-class experience. For some, this was their second time attending the camp, which also focuses on teamwork and activities alongside water polo, such as orienteering, an assault course, and various team challenges. This is in addition to two daily water polo sessions in the outdoor facilities and a tournament. The young athletes entered into the team spirit with their Dutch friends, where they all camp, eat, and train in the same area throughout the five days, creating a strong sense of camaraderie. Members said it had been an "amazing experience and opportunity to train with overseas athletes, learning new skills, meeting new friends and making memories, which will last a lifetime." Head coach Matt Birch said: "The training camp was an incredible success, where the players had learned invaluable skills and the connections forged will continue well into the future, providing opportunities for many more young athletes."
