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vr t/m zo 12.00-17.00. Ook op afspraak. Toegang gratis.
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Energieplein 69
2031 TC Haarlem
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info@nieuwevide.nl
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Statement
Over the past month, we have been confronted with almost daily vandalism of our building, with clear anti-Palestinian messages. At first, the vandalism was aimed at the Palestinian flag and anti-genocide posters hanging in our windows. Then, our entrance sign was vandalized. The first two weeks, it seemed to only happen at Nieuwe Vide. But last week, the Ceramic Centre in Haarlem was defaced with similar slogans. This recurring action goes against everything we stand for as an art space and community: solidarity, justice and an inclusive society without oppression.
This act not only goes against the core values of our artistic community, but is also an attack on the individuals who are a part of our space and on artists from an international art world who come to us – as well as come to Haarlem’s cultural sector – to work on a better, more just world in which dialogue is central. We express our solidarity and support to the Ceramic Centre, and the Palestinian artists who cannot work in safety in this current climate. Racism and hatred have no place with us. Comparing Palestinians to terrorists perpetuates and normalizes racism. In addition, the violent genocide committed by the state of Israel, in which thousands of Palestinians were murdered, is not recognized as such. We recognize every victim, including the Israeli victims of Hamas. We prefer to continue to discuss this, rather than repeatedly respond to acts of destruction.
A peace flag, a queer-pride flag and a Palestinian flag hang on our building. We want there to be space and safety for everyone, without oppression and apartheid. Being against genocide and in support of Palestinians is not anti-Semitism. Oppression – anywhere – by anyone – is a threat to freedom everywhere. And freedom is inextricably linked to justice for all.
For us, art is always a means to reshape the world, but also to stand up together against injustice and to question power structures. Our goal is to offer a platform to artists who are not often heard, to let them tell their stories and to connect our visitors and community through art. Nieuwe Vide is a place for experiment and activism, where there is room for intersectional solidarity and dialogue. Destruction like this affects the safe space that we carefully build for everyone who fights for change – a space where artists, collectives and communities come together to work on a hopeful future together.
Dialogue is always a possibility, we are used to this, but destruction – and therefore threats – are not. Our message remains clear: we reject all forms of oppression, apartheid and violence. Nieuwe Vide remains a place where oppressed voices are heard and where we continue to work for a world without hate, based on the power of art and collective care for everyone. That is why Nieuwe Vide – especially now – continues to connect in solidarity.
Team Nieuwe Vide & Board of Nieuwe Vide
To further the conversation, we’d like to provide some reading tips:
https://jewishcurrents.org/the-escalating-regional-war
Image: TRIK
PeacebyPiece-vlag