On Friday 30 October 2026, the outdoor photography exhibition ’60 Years of Labour Migration in the Netherlands’ opens at the Lange Voorhout in The Hague. The exhibition portrays six decades of labour migration through personal stories, historical photographs and the experiences of migrant workers and their families.

The post-war history of the Netherlands is closely tied to the arrival of labour migrants. During the years of reconstruction and economic growth, thousands of men and women came to the Netherlands from Italy, Spain, Greece, the former Yugoslavia, Turkey and Morocco, among other countries. They worked in ports, factories and shipbuilding, and for companies such as Shell, Philips and Fokker. What began as a temporary stay became a new home for many. Their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are now part of every layer of Dutch society.

The exhibition features portraits of sixty people: thirty former labour migrants and thirty Dutch people involved in this history. This is particularly important now, as many of the first generation of labour migrants are elderly. Their personal stories, memories and photographs are at risk of being lost. The exhibition aims to record these stories, make them visible and pass them on to future generations.

Practical information: Opening on Friday 30 October 2026, 4.00–6.00 pm, Lange Voorhout 1, The Hague. Everyone is warmly welcome.

More information, click here!