On Friday the 28th of November, the opening of the “Portraits of Courage” photo-exhibition took place at the Stadskantoor in Utrecht. The people featured in the portraits on the walls of the city office are brave individuals who fight for freedom, equality and human rights. They are human rights defenders who have been part of the Shelter City Utrecht project over the past ten years. This exhibition forms part of the ten-year anniversary celebration of the project.
Shelter City Utrecht is a project that provides a temporary safe haven for human rights defenders who are at risk in their country of origin. Peace Brigades International – in collaboration with Justice & Peace – receives human rights defenders for periods of three months. During these three months, the human rights defenders rest and recover but they also build their network, learn new skills, and raise awareness about human rights issues.
The photo exhibition opening started with a short explanation of the project. A short video was screened in which Shelter City guests shared their stories. Current Palestinian Shelter City guest Badee Dwaik recited a beautiful poem written by him.
I was born in a poem
Containing all things
Containing all meanings
A complicated poem.
I am the poem of the phoenix,
Within it beauty and love
Within it all seasons of the year
A revolutionary poem.
A poem born from pain
Containing the legend of life
Where the impossible rose
The poem of life.
My poem is a song of eternity
A woman weaving the garments of dignity
A revolutionary woman whose love is engraved
A poem of freedom.
My poems were born from the fires
Born in the belly of the flood
Within them love, madness and rebellion
Revolutionary poems.
I am the son of the rock and sea
I am the refugee in my own land
I am the son of Canaan and Ishtar
The son of the Nakba and the son of October
I am the son of Palestine.
After the recital, all visitors had the chance to walk around the photo exhibition. By scanning the QR-codes on the portraits, they could learn more about the stories of the human rights defenders.
The exhibition can still be visited until the 22nd of December 2025. It is free of charge, and located at the central hall of the Utrecht City Office (Stadsplateau 1, first floor). Opening hours are:
- Monday: 08:00 – 17:00
- Tuesday: 08:00 – 20:00
- Wednesday: 08:00 – 17:00
- Thursday: 08:00 – 20:00
- Friday: 08:00 – 17:00
- Saturday and Sunday: closed
Below you can see the aftermovie of the opening of the photo exhibition:
The photo exhibition is co-financed by the Cirrus Foundation, the VFonds and the Haëlla Stichting.
