Efrat Zehavi works in public spaces: she talks, listens, asks questions, and slowly gets to know people. As she does, a face takes shape in her hands from clay. In this way, meetings and conversations take on a tangible form. During Rooted festival, that role shifts. Now it’s your turn. How often do you actually speak to a stranger? What holds you back? What would you ask if you found the courage? In Sculpt a Stranger, we invite you to take a seat at a long table, opposite someone you don’t know yet.

Efrat Zehavi (1974) is a visual and performance artist based in Rotterdam. She is known for the expressive portraits in coloured plasticine that she makes on the spot in public locations. Currently, a series of 116 portraits is on view as part of the exhibition All Directions at Fenix Museum of migration in Rotterdam. Efrat draws, sculpts, makes collages and writes short stories based on oral histories. She combines her texts and artifacts in installations, performances, animations and books.

Efrat’s sculptures are painterly and narrative. She works with sculptural media like plasticine, clay, papier-mâché, plaster and wax. With these materials she can shape her feelings and thoughts in the most direct and intuitive way, as if making a quick sketch. Efrat’s sincere sculptures derive their power from the unmistakable imprint of her hand. The sculptures depict a wide variety of characters, from recognisable realistic portraits to theatrical masks, deformed bodies, mythological figures, marionettes, and mascot-like objects, but finally all human forms.

Efrat’s work deals with existential issues like origins, family relationships and migration. She often depicts unpleasant or painful feelings, but she always does so with some humor. Her performative projects rely on audience participation, seeking to provoke a dialogue between strangers. In cafés, libraries, studio-like settings or around a table with ritual objects, she guides the conversation to embrace personal subjects like family history and relationships. In this way many universal emotions and feelings are revealed. The people involved can feel connected with each other regardless of their origin, background or religion.

Following a quote of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh: “Your body is your first home” Efrat encourages you to: “Talk to people you are afraid of, it can be a stranger or your mother…”

Youssef believes that connection starts with knowing yourself. In his workshop “Inner World, Outer World”, he invites participants to explore who and what has shaped them, and how they bring colour to life. Through a creative mask exercise, you give your inner world a face, discover the power of vulnerability, and watch new connections form naturally.

Youssef Douzi grew up in Hilversum. The experience he went through growing up shaped his life purpose. As youth and family social worker, he founded Young Hilversummers, as he identified the potential to offer youth a safe space where they feel seen, supported and challenged. With his work and through Young Hilversummers he is committed to help grow a safe, mentally healthy, positive youth culture and a network they can fall back on. He was recently featured in the documentary SAMEN by Cinetree.

What shapes your sense of identity, belonging, and stability? In this workshop, you’ll be introduced to the Wheel of Rootedness, a practical self-reflection tool based on the eight dimensions of the Rooted methodology. Together, we’ll explore how different aspects of life, from your relationship with your body and emotions to your community, environment, and values, contribute to your sense of rootedness. You’ll map your own wheel, identify areas that deserve more attention, and leave with a clearer understanding of what supports you in living a life that is authentic, balanced, and rooted in who you are.

Noor Cornelissen is a strategic policy adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, founder and general director of the Rooted Foundation, and a public speaker on topics of migration, identity and belonging. Having lived and worked abroad for ten years, including along migration routes worldwide, she explores how people can feel at home in an ever-changing society.

“We all long to belong.”

In this workshop, we guide you to consciously explore where you are in life right now, where you long to go, and the path unfolding between the two. Through systemic work and voice liberation, we invite you into a gentle dive into self-discovery, reconnecting with the roots of who you are and what truly matters to you. As you deepen your connection with your own identity and inner voice, you cultivate a stronger sense of grounding, clarity, and trust in your unique path forward.

Charo Durán is a singer, Voice Liberator and Breath Coach and works as a facilitator in the Rooted weekends. As a child of two worlds, Bolivia and The Netherlands, her mission is to create unity and a sense of belonging – in the world and in ourselves.

Sandra Nauta–van der Rijst is a systemic coach and facilitator at the Rooted Weekends. Growing up between worlds and cultures as the daughter of a Surinamese mother and a Dutch father, she knows what it means to navigate different identities and places of belonging. Through her work, she invites others to cultivate a deep sense of belonging, grounded first and foremost within themselves.

“Every human needs Roots to know where home is and wings to fly and live life in the here and now” – Maya Angelou

In this workshop we will explore spatial and spiritual rooting, using nature as a gateway – following the methodology Rooted developed. You will deepen your understanding and presence of a rooted faith, regardless of whether you believe in something greater or not.

Sacha Post is a wilderness guide and philosopher who facilitates experiences that enable an embodied connection with nature and the wilderness. He leads wilderness journeys, retreats, pilgrimages, workshops, and lectures about a connected life in harmony with nature.

“When I develop a relationship with nature, no matter where I am from, I become part of the land and the land becomes part of me. That’s how I discovered how to belong” – Sacha Post

Find your own voice and let it be fully heard, to connect to yourself and the world around you. Breathing exercises, improvising sounds and singing easy melodies will help to root firmly within yourself, and freely express your authentic voice.

Hester is a singing teacher and voice liberation facilitator. After a career in classical singing, she decided to dedicate her time to letting other people’s hearts sing too. She coaches people in finding and expressing their inner voice. Her sessions are an invitation to let the heart sing — freely, intuitively, and with joy.

“Being a child, I grew up as a bit of an outsider in a small village. In order to fit in, I quickly learned to suppress my authentic voice and thus never rooted fully. Nowadays, by expressing my true voice I don’t fit in anymore, but I belong more and more to the world around me.” – Hester Dam

In this workshop, participants explore the expressive power of rhythm and gesture within the hybrid movement language of Kalpanarts. Rooted in Indian dance traditions such as Bharatanatyam and Kathak, the session shows how rhythm, movement and traditional hand gestures (mudras) can become a language for emotion, imagination and connection. No prior dance experience is required — curiosity is enough.

By embodying rhythmic patterns through movement, you experience a unique dialogue between body and mind. You’ll also learn a selection of traditional hand gestures (mudras) and discover how these gestures can communicate emotions, ideas and stories without words.

Reflect on your own forms of expression and explore how rooted traditions can become a source of creativity and expression.

Kalpanarts, led by choreographer and cultural anthropologist Kalpana Raghuraman, blends Indian classical dance with contemporary and urban forms to explore identity, connection and cultural equity through rhythm and storytelling. Kalpanarts is a contemporary dance company led by choreographer and cultural anthropologist Kalpana Raghuraman. Rooted in Indian dance traditions and informed by contemporary and urban dance forms, the company develops a unique hybrid movement language that explores identity, connection and cultural equity through rhythm, movement and storytelling.

“Rooting is highly relevant to our practice because it lies at the heart of how we create. At Kalpanarts, we work from the belief that innovation becomes meaningful when it is connected to where we come from. (…) For us, rooting is not about preserving tradition unchanged. It is about understanding where knowledge, movement and stories originate, and allowing them to evolve through dialogue, encounter and lived experience. As artists working across cultures, we are constantly exploring the relationship between heritage and change, between belonging and becoming,” according to Laila.

She adds: “On a personal level, rooting is connected to questions of identity, ancestry and cultural memory. It is a way of staying connected to histories and practices that came before us, while creating space for new voices and perspectives. Through movement, rhythm and gesture, we explore how traditions can remain alive, relevant and in conversation with the present.“

What does home taste like? Join De Stadscoalitie for a workshop where recipes become stories, memories, and a way to connect with others.

Bring to mind a favourite recipe and reflect on the people, places, and moments it represents. Who first made it for you? What memories return when you prepare it? And what new recipes and new traditions can we create together? Through tasting, sharing, and conversation, we’ll explore how food can bring people together across cultures and generations.

De Stadscoalitie connects people, recognises talent, and creates space for new collaborations. By bringing together newcomers and long-established residents, from bakers and architects to musicians and craftspeople, they help build lasting connections and stronger communities.

Come and join the conversation during this live podcast recording, where we will explore questions such as: How can you take root in a country that constantly reminds you that you don’t belong? We are polarizing at a fast pace. Even if you were born here, you are still made to feel like the “other.” How can you take root in a world which utilizes double standards, where the odds are stacked against you? What gives you hope? What do we have in common? How do we bridge the distance between us? This workshop will be in Dutch in which she will explore these topics with: Oifik Youssefi and Noor Cornelissen (Founder and Director Rooted). The aim is to create a warm and open space to explore what it means to feel truly at home in yourself and the world around you.

Nora Akachar is a creative producer, film and theater maker/ director, actress, radio host, presenter and social worker with Moroccan-Dutch roots whose life and work focus on: how do we find a place to belong?

At the age four, she moved from Morocco to The Netherlands, where she has grown up in the Schilderswijk of The Hague. Navigating between cultures and identities from an early age, she knows what it means to search for solid ground firsthand. Her work centers on identity, inclusion, and diversity, using personal storytelling to move audiences and spark genuine reflection. Alongside her creative work, she continues to remain active as a social worker, combining artistic craft with genuine human care.

How do you build a community where everyone can be themselves while feeling connected to others? During this 75-minute workshop, you’ll be introduced to the concept of mutual integration in an accessible way. We will focus on what mutual integration means in our everyday lives.

What changes if we don’t see integration as adapting, but as a shared journey? What opportunities does it offer, and what challenges do we face? Through a collaborative thought experiment, we will then take on the challenge: what would a truly equitable, integrated community look like? What do people need to form a community where differences do not disappear, but coexist? We will map this community, creating a live, visual map of ideas, values, and conditions needed to build an inclusive community together.

This workshop invites connection, imagination, and new perspectives on living together—moving away from the question of how we can become more alike, and focusing instead on how we can coexist without losing our unique identity.

Sociologists Fatiha El-Hajjari, Fenneke Wekker and political scientist Lea Klarenbeek are committed to make existing social-scientific knowledge development more accessible, equitable and justified in the Netherlands. Their areas of expertise include inclusion and exclusion, a sense of belonging, integration and the empowerment of marginalised groups. KennisMakers works together with grassroots organizations, policymakers, social-civic institutions and those interested in broadening their vision and who want to contribute to a more realistic and multifaceted view of Dutch society.

In this workshop, Zaïre Krieger (poet, spoken word and interdisciplinary artist) will guide you on a journey to the heart of your own story. How do you transform your experiences, emotions and insights into words that resonate, carry power and move your listeners? In this workshop, you will discover how to find your unique voice, structure your life story and deliver it with authenticity and impact. Whether you’re a beginner or already have some experience with writing and speaking, you’ll more than welcome.

Zaïre Krieger (1995) is a poet, spoken word artist and interdisciplinary artist. Her work is a powerful call for justice and love. Her performances are rhythmic, deeply felt and multi-layered, offering a sharp insight into social issues. In 2019, she was honoured with a Spoken Award as one of the most inspiring spoken-word artists of the moment. Her debut publication collection, Chameleon, was released in 2026.

Ungrounded tells the story of Anthony’s journey as a refugee and his search for safety, belonging, and a place to call home. In this performance, Dragan portrays Anthony, bringing his experiences to life on stage, while Oleg provides live music that accompanies and enriches the story. Together, they explore themes of displacement, identity, resilience, and integration through a combination of theatre and music.

The New Dutch Connections Foundation (NDC) uses theatre, art and training to inspire and motivate people to take an active role in our multicultural and multifaith society, so that the stranger is no longer a stranger and refugees can find a place to call home. Through its work, New Dutch Connections brings together individuals, organisations and institutions that would otherwise rarely, if ever, meet.

“Rooting is at the heart of New Dutch Connections’ mission. We believe that people can only fully participate in society when they feel connected to it and have a sense of belonging. Many of the people we work with have experienced displacement, exclusion, or barriers to participation. Through theatre, art, training, and community-building, we create opportunities for people to build meaningful connections, discover their talents, and contribute to society.“

“For New Dutch Connections, rooting is not only about finding a physical home, but also about feeling seen, valued, and connected to others. This is why the theme resonates so strongly with our work: we aim to create spaces where people from different backgrounds can meet, learn from one another, and build a shared sense of belonging.“

What worlds can we imagine when we give ourselves the freedom to dream? In this collage-making workshop, we explore imagination, self-expression, and world-building through the creative practice of collage. Together, we will create visual worlds that reflect our dreams, desires, and ideas for a more connected and free society. Using images, writing, shapes, flowers, glitter, and other materials, we will combine different elements to explore how new possibilities can take shape.

No previous experience with art or collage-making is needed. This workshop is an invitation to experiment, play, and let your imagination guide you.

Mo Futures is a visual artist, writer, and time-traveler whose practice explores themes of (gender) queerness, Afropean diaspora, digital visibility, spirituality, myth-making, and imagined futures. Through collage, photography, writing, and multimedia installations, Mo creates spaces where new possibilities can emerge and honours Black queer and trans existences through archives, memories, and dreams.

What does it take to stay connected when conversations around migration and society become increasingly polarised? Drawing from her years of experience with Médecins Sans Frontières and her work with OnMigration, Mariken Gaanderse shares insights, frameworks, and lessons on how we can create conversations that bring people together rather than push them further apart.

In this interactive session, we explore the space between opposing viewpoints—the many people who hold complex and sometimes contradictory feelings about migration, belonging, identity, and the society we want to build together. Through reflection and exchange, we will look at how we communicate across differences, how we can listen beyond our own perspectives, and what it takes to create more inclusive conversations.

Mariken brings together more than 25 years of experience in humanitarian aid, international development, and social innovation. As a social entrepreneur, facilitator, strategist, co-founder of On Purpose, and one of the initiators of OnMigration, she works to connect people from different worlds and support meaningful social change.

Join us for a screening of an episode from the documentary series Tina in Sexbierum, in which artist Tina Farifteh explores how people with different backgrounds, stories, and perspectives live together, meet one another, and sometimes experience friction. Through personal encounters and everyday conversations, the series reflects on themes such as belonging, identity, inclusion, and the complexities of creating a shared society.

The episode runs for approximately 30 minutes. After the screening, we will continue with a post-screening conversation led by Kiza Magendane to reflect on the themes brought forward in the film. Together, we will discuss questions around connection, difference, and what it means to truly meet one another.

In this workshop, you’ll translate your personal intention into a concrete plan of action. Through reflection, practical exercises, and collaboration, you’ll clarify the future you envision and shape it into a focused intention with clear first steps. Together, we’ll explore the strengths, skills, and qualities already within you, discovering how meaningful change begins by recognising the resources you already carry.

In the final part, you’ll experience the power of sharing your intention with others and discover how collective support can help ideas grow. We close with an introduction to the Rooted Barter Board, inviting participants to continue exchanging knowledge, support, and opportunities long after the workshop ends.

Facilitated by Bianca Omatuku, founder of The Holistic Women’s Centre, this workshop is shaped by her holistic approach to wellbeing and self-leadership, as well as her own experience as a participant in the Rooted Weekend.