Discover the suitcase story of Ernst
The Netherlands, China and the Trans-Siberian Railroad
“This suitcase was always kept by my family. That is why I am proud that it will now be permanently placed in Fenix. My grandmother’s suitcase has arrived at its final destination.”
Suitcases often carry more than just belongings, they embody journeys, resilience, and the enduring spirit of those who once owned them. In The Suitcase Labyrinth, you will hear these stories to bring a collection of personal histories of migration to life.
One such story belongs to Ernst, who donated his grandmother Willemine’s suitcase.
Willemine’s journey begins in 1898 when she marries Thomas and leaves the Netherlands to join him in China. At just twenty, she embarks on a six-week voyage by boat to start a new life. They have four children in China, but the marriage becomes strained. In 1911, Willemine makes the courageous decision to leave her husband. She packs her suitcase, gathers her children, and takes the Trans-Siberian Express in search of a fresh start.
Willemine, her children, and their nanny travel from Irkutsk to Moscow, eventually returning to The Hague, where she rebuilds her life. She becomes a vocal advocate for women’s rights and plays a role in the suffrage movement, which leads to women gaining the vote in 1919.
Now part of the Fenix collection, Willemine’s suitcase symbolizes her strength, independence, and the broader struggles of women fighting for their place in society.
The Suitcase Labyrinth
This story of Ernst's family can be heard in The Suitcase Labyrinth. Here you will discover stories of departure, arrival and the lives once carried in these humble suitcases. Find out more about The Suitcase Labyrinth.
