‘From Cape to Cape’ (‘Van Kaap tot Kaap’); these four words mark an important part of Dutch maritime history that is unknown to many. Bottom line: for decades, Dutch shipping companies sailed with Cape Verdan crews. In 2025 we are celebrating 75 years of the settlement and integration of the Cape Verdean community in Rotterdam and the special friendship between Rotterdam and Cabo Verde.
The kick-off will take place in November this year in ‘Verhalenhuis Belvédère’ (in Katendrecht, a historic and still iconic neighborhood where sailors used to spend their shore leave in Rotterdam). Belvédère’ is a non-profit organization aiming to bring people together through storytelling.
Nore that, to make this celebration come to life and success, additional funds are most welcome: there are many options for sponsors, partners, and donors!
Capeverdeans in Rotterdam
In the 1950ties the first Cabo Verdean sailors arrived in the port of Rotterdam, on the quay of Katendrecht, also referred to as ‘the Cape of Rotterdam’. Soon many more arrived in the port and started to work for Dutch shipping companies such as Van Nievelt Goudriaan, P&O, Nedlloyd, Pakhoed, Van Ommeren, KNSM, Mammoet Shipping, VNS, Jumbo Shipping, HAL, Spliethoff and many more.
Once they settled ashore in the 60s and 70s they worked alongside the locals on the post-war reconstruction of Rotterdam. They ended up working for companies such as the Van Nelle factory, Van Melle Snoep, Bombeke, GOM, Shell, Heineken, Engels, Hilton Hotel, Hago, Storm, Dijkzigt, and Ikazia Hospital, and elderly homes like Laurentius and Humanitas.
The Cape Verdean ‘Rotterdammers’ integrated easily while supporting their families in Cabo Verde and at the same time contributing to the struggle for the independence of Cabo Verde and Guinea Bissau. The community in Rotterdam contributed by creating a strong cultural identity and setting up associations, record companies and shipping lines maintaining a strong link with the motherland. The longing for their homeland and families known as ‘sodade’ is expressed through poetry, lyrics, and music.
The first Caboverdean record company in the world ‘Morabeza Records’ was founded in 1965 on the Beukelsdijk in Rotterdam. Many world-renowned artists had their first recordings and album releases from Rotterdam like Césaria Evora, Bana, Ildo Lobo, Os Tubaroes, Zeca di Nha Reinalda en Bulimundo, Livity, Rabelados, Gil Semedo, and current well-known artists like Ferro Gaita and Rotterdam-based Nelson Freitas.
Van Kaap tot Kaap
In 1975 Cabo Verde gained its independence after 500 years of Portuguese colonial domination. In 2025 Cabo Verde will commemorate its 50-year anniversary which will be celebrated in Cabo Verde and the diaspora. The Netherlands are currently contributing to the construction of a new Cruise Terminal in Porto Grande, Mindelo on the island of São Vicente that is planned to be inaugurated in 2025. Porto Grande was the original departure point of thousands of young sailors to Rotterdam. Currently, approximately 30.000 Caboverdeans are living in Rotterdam and its surrounding cities. With this program, the Cape Verdean community in Europe’s largest port wants to express their gratitude to Rotterdam, ‘11th island’.
In cooperation with Verhalenhuis Belvédère in Rotterdam-Katendrecht we want to shine the spotlight on the special maritime and historical bond between Rotterdam and Cabo Verde and make it visible in the ‘From Cape to Cape’ project: an exhibition, a podcast, a book, a documentary film and a very special sailing trip. We are looking for support and funding, for sponsors, partners, and donors to make this project come to life!
De Eendracht: sailing to Cabo Verde!
In December 2024 the threemaster ‘De Eendracht’ will make a 10-day voyage to 6 of the 10 Capeverdean islands, with and for youngsters from Rotterdam-Zuid and Katendrecht area and 3rd or 4th generation Cabo Verdeans. On board of the Eendracht, youngsters actively participate and get to learn and experience that working on board of this ship can teach you a lot about life.
De Eendracht was built 35 years ago by Damen Shipyards and has Rotterdam as its home port. She’s a Tall Ship measuring 60 x 13 x 5 (draft) meters, is the Netherlands’ biggest ‘gaffeltopzeilschoener’, and one of the largest sailing ships in the world. De Eendracht is owned by STC-group (Shipping & Transport College) and counts approximately 300 professional and volunteer crewmembers.
During the trip around the islands, we will explore the stories of the historical, cultural, and maritime connection between Rotterdam and Cabo Verde. We will have encounters with locals: former Rotterdam Capeverdean sailors, young entrepreneurs, artists, and musicians. During our quest, we will also visit several projects that were supported or financed by the Netherlands along these 75-year maritime bonds, such as the quays, the ferries, the botanical garden, and the new cruise terminal. The trip will be documented and the film will be broadcast in 2025 in Verhalenhuis Rotterdam and Cultural Centre of Mindelo and Praia in Cabo Verde.
Sponsors and Donors
We are very proud that the trip for the youngsters will be financed by C.J. Jaskifonds. Now we are looking for more sponsors and partners that can help cover the costs for the flights of the participants (return flights to point of departure on Sal Island) as well as the production of the documentary film. In total a minimum amount of € 35.000 is needed to cover these expenses.
Target group
Youngsters between the ages of 16 to 27 years from Rotterdam that normally do not get a chance to, or do not have the means to participate in these kinds of (cultural) activities. First to third-generation Capeverdeans who have not returned in a long time or that were born in Rotterdam and have never visited Cabo Verde.
Project
The initiative of this project is by Jorge Oliveira Lizardo and Melanie Soares, cultural entrepreneurs, and event organizers and Capeverdean representatives at Verhalenhuis Belvédère. Their (grand)parents were one of the first sailors and families to settle in Rotterdam. For several years they have been part of the organization of the annual São João (St. John’s) on the Pracinha d’Quebrôd, also known as Heemraadsplein. The square has been a historical meeting point for the Caboverdean sailors since the 60s and has become the epicenter of the community in Delfshaven. In 2020 the festival was officially recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of The Netherlands.
Jorge Manuel: ‘’As second-generation Caboverdeans we have a great responsibility to safeguard and transmit our cultural heritage, traditions, and the stories of our ancestors to younger generations. To actively contribute to this we work closely together with Verhalenhuis Belvédère.’’
Verhalenhuis Belvédère (Rotterdam-Katendrecht) is the first institute for intangible cultural heritage in The Netherlands. Belvédère aims to make the stories of individuals and communities in the city visible by creating moments of encounter and exchange through storytelling events, group portraits, oral history, city heritage tours, exhibitions, and museum projects. The approach changes but the recipe stays always the same: meeting each other in a warm, welcoming, and positive home, building bridges, and bringing communities together. The programs and projects take place at the most diverse locations and our home base: a historical and legendary building in Katendrecht that was already named Belvédère in 1894. The home is a volunteer-run business and aims to inspire citizens, entrepreneurs, writers, and artists to use their passion, talent, and craftsmanship for the city and society and the happiness of all citizens.
From Cape to Cape partners
The celebration of 75-years Rotterdam-Cabo Verde is realized with the help of the following parties: Stichting De Eendracht, Stichting C.J. JaskiFonds, Verhalenhuis Belvédère, Stadsarchief Rotterdam, CCM Centro Cultural de Mindelo and Praia, The Capeverdean Minister of Sea and Diaspora Jorge dos Santos, The Minister of Culture Augusto da Veiga, The Minister of Foreign Affairs (former Ambassador to Cape Verde in Brussel), The Capeverdean Consulate in Rotterdam, ENAPOR CV, Stichting Bruggenbouwers.
