World Port Days at Plein
Dive into the stories behind the Port of Rotterdam
Take part in workshops at Plein and reserve your place on a Story Tour of locations connected to Katendrecht’s migration stories.
Discover de Kaap
During World Port Days, Plein becomes a place where Katendrecht’s migration stories come to life. For generations, de Kaap has been a place of departure, arrival and encounter. Europe’s first Chinatown was established here, Surinamese jazz filled its nightclubs, and Greek traders, Eastern European migrants and Cape Verdean seafarers all left their mark. Discover more about this history on the Story Walk and take part in workshops featuring circus, music and crafts.
Beeld: Benny Emmerich
Programma
Circus Playground
Saturday and Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Inspired by circus performer John Zapeij, who left for another country in 1924, children and parents can discover the world of circus through play. Try tightrope walking, juggling and balancing under the guidance of Circus Rotjeknor.
Workshop: bucketdrumming
Saturday: 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Age: 6+
Learn how to make music using buckets and drumsticks during this workshop by Bennie’s Business. Practise simple rhythms and, within half an hour, play together as one group. No musical experience is required.
Workshop: decorate a Chinese rice bowl
Saturday: 12:00–15:00
Age: 7+
Ticket: €5 at the Kiosk
Decorate a rice bowl with Fenmei from Space101 using the blue-and-white Blue Willow pattern. While painting, you’ll learn more about Chinese porcelain and the significance of the rice bowl in everyday life.
Workshop: make a scented tea pouch
Sunday: 12:00–15:00
Age: 7+
Ticket: €5 at the Kiosk
Put together a scented pouch filled with tea leaves with Fenmei from Space101. Take inspiration from an old Chinese tradition in which scented pouches were worn as perfume and jewellery, and create your own to take home.
Workshop: make a sailor’s knot
Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Age: 12+
Ticket: €5 from the Kiosk
Create a decorative artwork from rope with designer Rein Reitsma. Give traditional maritime knotting techniques a contemporary twist and take your work home with you.
About the partner
Wereldhavendagen brings the Port of Rotterdam closer through ship visits, demonstrations and stories from the port area. At Plein, this history takes on a human dimension, with Katendrecht’s migration stories taking centre stage.
Experience Katendrecht through the eyes of those who built a new life here
Story Walk
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
During this 75-minute walking tour by Verhalenhuis Belvédère, follow a guide and storyteller through Katendrecht. See the neighbourhood through the eyes of those who arrived here, departed from here or built a new life here. Hear stories about Europe’s first Chinatown, Eastern European emigrants, Greek floating traders and Cape Verdean seafarers.
The tour is offered in Dutch.
