Shelter or home? A powerful dialogue in Utrecht’s Bibliotheek Neude

Four years after Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainians and Dutch citizens gathered last Sunday at Bibliotheek Neude. Under the title Memory and Dialogue, the Remember Together Alliance organized an evening that went beyond mere commemoration. At its heart was a pressing question: for displaced Ukrainians, is the Netherlands still a temporary shelter, or has it now become a home?

A shared identity

During an immersive dialogue, eleven Ukrainian and Dutch speakers shared their perspectives on this dilemma. The conclusion was as human as it was hopeful: 'shelter' and 'home' do not have to be mutually exclusive. While hearts inevitably remain in Ukraine, the anchoring within Dutch society creates a new reality. Especially for the growing generation of children, the Netherlands is increasingly becoming a home base, which naturally leads to deeper connections for their parents as well.

Throughout the conversation, a clear call to action resonated: the Dutch language plays a crucial role in this process. While English sufficed in the initial phase, learning the local language is now essential to creating a genuine connection with society. The Ukrainians in attendance expressed their deep gratitude for the safety provided and encouraged one another to maintain the resilience needed for the future.

Art as a mirror of the dilemma

The themes of the evening were beautifully portrayed through culture. The short fiction film Onderdak (Shelter) by directors Maarten Sleegers and Anna Sherstiuk had its premiere. The film touched the core of the discussion through the eyes of a child taking root in the Netherlands, while simultaneously being consumed by homesickness for friends and the familiar ground of Ukraine.

The United Ukrainian Ballet added an extra dimension to the evening with a moving performance. The dancers interlaced their choreography with personal stories, making the abstract concepts of war and displacement painfully tangible. It resulted in a beautiful and dignified evening, in which Utrecht demonstrated that, after four years, solidarity remains deeply rooted.