#benchescollective

[stadtbiotop]

[curationcollective]

#Spotlight | BenchesCollective (BankjesCollectief)

BenchesCollective (BankjesCollectief) is a Netherlands based organization that connects individuals to their neighbours, and ideally, their neighbourhoods. 

In encouraging people to set up ‘public’ spaces outside their homes, in communal areas and even in city squares, the BenchesCollective is empowering people to creating meeting places in their areas and “open-air cafes” that allow individuals to connect with strangers and socialize in their neighbourhood.

As they write in their info page, BenchesCollective is about emphasizing tolerance, acceptance and basic kindness between those in our immediate vicinity, characteristics that go on to benefit us throughout our lives. 

They write: 

“The gap between rich and poor, immigrants and longtime locals and between low-skilled and highly educated people is growing every year. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to meet people who have a different background. The recent terror attacks in worldwide and the tensed talks about refugees are making it one of the most urgent challenges of our time to combat structural inequality and promote mutual understanding. 

Diversity in ethnicity, culture, religion and sexual orientation is part of every neighbourhood, in every dynamic city and even in many villages worldwide. But that doesn’t always mean there’s a natural sense connection and solidarity. It’s time it no longer self-evident that you know your neighbours. Because honestly… Do you know all your neighbours?“

BenchesCollective has partnered with many organizations based in the Netherlands and worldwide, and currently have multiple ‘benches’ in various countries. Take a look at their website for the next big benches event (most are in the Netherlands) but figure out how you can host your own bench too.

BenchesCollective represents many of the values we hold at Curation Collective: knowledge sharing, diversity, social connection and reclaiming public space. To engage in this type of inherently kind action is to contribute to a more integrated, friendly, safe and enjoyable living experience in all neighbourhoods for all people. 

[humans-of-amsterdam]

When I left Syria the war just started. I was twenty-two when I got selected for a scholarship in Spain, Granada to study fine arts. Unlike many Syrians I came here on a visa and so I'm not a refugee. Before coming Spain I used to study art in Damascus and work as a DJ. While living in Granada I kept working as a dj and last summer I even got to go to Ibiza to perform with big headliners. It was such an amazing experience. After a few months I returned to my apartment in Madrid. All of a sudden I got a message from my best friend who lives in London. He is also from Syria and are still really close. He send me a ticket to come and hang out with him in Brussels for a few days. We have that kind of friendship where we send each other plane tickets. I went to Brussels and we had a lot of fun. When we got to the airport we both realized we didn’t want to go home so we said why not go to Amsterdam? We skipped our flight and we bought train tickets to Amsterdam. From the moment I arrived to Amsterdam Central Station I said to my friend: ''This is it. I’m in love, I’m moving here.’’ He was laughing and thought I was joking but after a few days when I returned to Madrid I packed my stuff and moved to Amsterdam. That was about seven months ago and now I have finally found an apartment here and I’m excited for the future.''

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I met Ribal at BenchesCollective - BankjesCollectief a really awesome initiative in Amsterdam which transforms public space into a meeting place for everyone. BenchesCollective is a movement that organizes the largest open-air café in the world consisting of ‘opened’ benches on the pavement in front of houses, in the park or on a city square. Together with BenchesCollective I created 2 portraits to share stories of those who are a part of the movement. I believe it's initiatives like these and people like Ribal that make our city into this incredible place.

A bench host decides what he or she wants to serve: a nice cup of coffee, home baked cake, a marble competition or dancing lesson. At the opened benches you meet your neighbours. From students, young families and chatty grannies to awesome people like Ribal. The next open-air café is on July 1st & 2nd. It's a really nice way to meet new people so if you are in Amsterdam next weekend make sure to check it out.

[citybench]

Mark your calendars! Get ready to BENCH IT UP.

[humans-of-amsterdam]

''Six months ago I had this crazy idea to start my own language school. I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur and since I was already teaching Dutch to expats I thought why not open up my own school. There are many language schools in Amsterdam but instead of just creating a place where people come to learn the language I wanted to build a community, a place where people can feel a sense of belonging. My students come from all over the world, Brazil, Mexico, North America but there are also students who left their country because of war and terror. In my school everyone is equal and we are all learning from each other, no matter if you are a student or a teacher. When I was living abroad in Mexico I noticed it was very hard to meet local people when you are a foreigner. That is why I introduce all my students to my friends. I set each of my students up with a language buddy so its easier for them to practice. Whenever there is an event I invite them. For example, last week we went salsa dancing and everyone loved it. So far none of my students have left the school and they even come early to class just to hang out. When someone doesn’t show up I know they have a legit reason and I’m genuinely worried. The best part of my job is that I get to spend my time with awesome people. A few weeks ago it was my birthday. I tried to keep it a secret but they had already figured out it out because of Facebook. Each of my students had thought of my birthday. They bought me flowers, wrote me birthday cards and they sang ‘’Happy Birthday’’ to me in 10 different languages. I’m not going to lie, it made me cry.'' --------------------------------------------- I met Noémie at BenchesCollective - BankjesCollectief a really awesome initiative in Amsterdam which transforms public space into a meeting place for everyone. BenchesCollective is a movement that organizes the largest open-air café in the world consisting of ‘opened’ benches on the pavement in front of houses, in the park or on a city square.

A bench host decides what he or she wants to serve: a nice cup of coffee, home baked cake, a marble competition or dancing lesson. At the opened benches you meet your neighbours. From students, young families and chatty grannies to awesome people like Noémie. The next open-air café is on July 1st & 2nd. It's a really nice way to meet new people so if you are in Amsterdam next weekend make sure to check it out.