Kristine Hymøller

August 10th 2008

Age: 36
Nationality: Danish
Occupation: Artist
In Amsterdam: 8 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
To study at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Art, music, Galleries, food and Bars.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
Great, in the sense that people use a lot of colour and mix
styles much more than in Denmark.

Did your style of clothing changed since you live here,
and because of what? These can be emotional, cultural
reasons or practical reasons such as weather or
availability.
I guess living in another country will always influence you.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
I like to look at all cultures and sort of mix it a bit, but Dutch
I don’t know.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
I did know that..., well in a way, as I said, I think people mixes
their style of clothing more here. I think I see a lot of people
dress kind of awful and great at the same time, which I think
is the tendency of a big city. Amsterdam is a small city with
a big city spirit.

David Golek

June 9th 2008

Nationality: Israeli
Occupation: Musician
In Amsterdam: Irregularly since 1997

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
Girl friend.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Tango, massage, writing stories.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
As for normal citizens, quite politically correct. As for sport
fans of the national team: Fantastic

Did your style of clothing changed since you live here, and
because of what? These can be emotional, cultural reasons
or practical reasons such as weather or availability.
Yes, mostly because of climate change, and therefore I started
to explore new ways for dressing up.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
Not specially. I assume one is always a bit influenced by the
place one lives, unconsciously.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
I knew that there are many many cultures in Amsterdam, and
this fact is very inspiring. Then you really don’t understand why
some countries are at war...I think that everyone in Amsterdam
benefits from this fact, both Dutch and foreigners, and this gives
an example to the world on how cultures may have differences,
but without having to fight one another because of it. Every place
has it’s tensions though, in some neighborhoods more than
others, but Amsterdam as a whole is rather a success story,
in this regard.

Puneet Seistani

June 8th 2008

Age: 26
Country of origin: Indian, Dutch
Occupation: Businessman
In Amsterdam: Since 26 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
I was born here.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
My work is my only hobby and passion.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
Amsterdam is full of cultures. Every culture has its own way of
dressing. So in short they have a stylish sort of dressing sense.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture or
by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
I love my culture.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam being very rich in cultures cannot be influenced.
Because Amsterdam has so many cultures that you need at
least 1 culture to influence the other one and this place has
177 cultures so Amsterdam has its own culture which people
come to see and those who migrate here they know what
Amsterdam is full of. That’s what i think and i can say.

Betul

June 8th 2008

Age: 24
Nationality: Turkish, Dutch
Occupation: Student
In Amsterdam: 24 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
I live still at home with my parents. I have three sisters
and one brother. I am studying and working. I want to be
a pedagogue.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Watch football games, listen to music, hanging out with
friends and investigate things.

Hélène Alti-Diao

June 8th 2008

Age: 29
Nationality: Burkinabè, French
Occupation: Export function: customer service
In Amsterdam: 5 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
Love!!

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Cycling, going out with friends, eat appeltaart,
movies and parties.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
There are many different styles, from very casual to totally funky.
They dare to do more with colors than in France, but it isn’t
always very stylish; more provocative than anything else actually.

Did your style of clothing changed since you live here, and
because of what? These can be emotional, cultural reasons
or practical reasons such as weather or availability.
Not that much, except that I always have an umbrella in my bag.
I do not mind wearing mini-skirts now, while in France people
are more conservative about showing their legs - and in
Burkina-Faso even more.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
Not really, although I am now totally addicted to cycling, and
convinced that if the whole world would cycle as much as people
do in Holland, we will not hear anymore about global warming...
Now I really consider my bike as part of myself.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
I’m not surprised, Amsterdam is a great mix of people, that’s
what makes Amsterdam so special; very different from the
rest of Holland.

Younes Mracha

June 8th 2008

Age: 29
Nationality: Maroccan, Dutch
In Amsterdam: 4 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
To find new challenges and because of work.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Sports, enjoying, reading, music and theatre.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
Strong and divers.

Did your style of clothing changed since you live here, and
because of what? These can be emotional, cultural reasons
or practical reasons such as weather or availability?
I am not aware of any changes but I do think so. Your surroundings
do form a part of you...

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture or
by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
No, not specifically by Amsterdam, I guess it has it’s influence
but there are more factors that have influence like the people
around you and the time you are living in.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
I think it has formed Amsterdam now, but also before. The Dutch
people are Calvinistic people who think acceptance is most
important. This made Amsterdam to what it is now, something
unique.

Rico

June 8th 2008
nationality: Surinam

Robson Petronio Lima

June 8th 2008

Age: 43
Nationality: Brazilian
Occupation: Waiter
In Amsterdam: 5 years

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
I wanted to get away from the village in Limburg
where I used to live.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Photography, painting.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
Interesting, diverse; sometimes I just think that they have very
bad taste.

Did your style of clothing changed since you live here, and
because of what? These can be emotional, cultural reasons
or practical reasons such as weather or availability.
My style has changed. I am more relaxed in the way I dress.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
Yes, I have become more open minded related with respect
for individual behavior.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
I knew that there are many cultures in Amsterdam. I don’t think
that the culture has been influenced because each culture is
very closed and the cultures don’t seem to mix.