Journey of the Past

Between 1818 and 1873, the urban poor were uprooted from their homes in their thousands and moved to a new colony in the Dutch town of Veenhuizen. There they were given work digging up turf and it was hoped that they could build a better life for themselves. The colony was only accessible by boat, via the Zuiderzee. In a short film, Liesje Lokbi recreates that long and often irreversible journey, mixing modern images with fictional impressions from those undergoing relocation. Through visual storytelling, the past comes to life in the present, as visitors are invited to experience the connection for themselves.