Brief van de burgemeester
The power of language
So, I held my book launch the other day. It was supergezellig, thank you. Among the guests were students NT2 of more than fifteen different nationalities—from Ukrainian to Russian, Lebanese and Argentinian.
And we ate many bitterballen.
I had invited our mayor Femke Halsema to receive the first copy.
She was my first choice, because she stands for the things my book stands for: verbinding, inclusie, samenleven in harmonie. In Amsterdam and beyond.
Unfortunately, she was not available.
Instead, she wrote me a lovely letter (in Dutch).
I read it out loud at the launch. In Dutch. Because all fifteen+ nationalities spoke my mother tongue. And as Ana from Moldavia pointed out to me: “I have yet to hear you speak English.”
Here is what the letter says (I translated it in case not all of you master my mother tongue, yet):
”Thank you very much for sending me the book Nederlands is zooo makkelijk | Dutch is sooo easy. Such a wonderful gift to receive the first copy.
Your stories about the classes Dutch as a second language in our city are heartening and inspiring.
Amsterdam plays a beautiful role in your book, not only as a backdrop, but as a unifying force. The encounters in your classroom and the moments of gezelligheid are exactly the core of what our city stands for.
I think it’s great how you have caught the diversity of your class and the power of language in such an accessible and cheerful manner.
The book is an asset to our city and to everyone who feels connected to Amsterdam.
Sincerely, Femke Halsema, burgemeester van Amsterdam.”
And just like that, she had me crying.
Buy the book here, or ask for it at your local Dutch or Belgian bookstore.
Connecting lingo
De verbinding - connection
De diversiteit - diversity
De inclusie - inclusion
De samenleving - society
Samenleven (verb) - coexist
