My Polish Story

I grew up with a Polish mother and a Dutch father. Their different nationalities heavily shaped my upbringing. I have always wondered whether I was Dutch, Polish or maybe both? Emotionally, I always hung in between, not quite the one or the other. By capturing different cultures, I have tried to figure out who I am. With which identity do I connect the most?

Whilst growing up, and yet still, I heard my parents talk about their upbringing and traditions. I got curious to know more and explore, to delve into their cultures and take pictures of their life stories.

The main question in my search for the Polish identity is: ‘What makes someone Polish?’ To better understand my own identity and to continue my search, I travelled to Poland. In Poland I spoke to several women about what being a woman entails and what pride of your nationality means to them.

This book is a tribute to the Polish woman who are strong and who keep fighting for their rights for a better future, both for themselves, their fellow women, and their children. This book tells and depicts their inspiring and powerful stories.

the first week in Poland, I arrived in Nysa. My moms birthplace, me and my mom where together in her house.

The Polish women who I met during my trip, every women who are strong and who keep fighting for their rights for a better future, both for themselves, their fellow women, and their children. The Polish women tells and depicts their inspiring and powerful stories in the book.