The exhibition explores how language influences our identity, memories, and homesickness. The museum showcases how people navigate daily life between different languages – at home, school, or work – demonstrating that language is more than a communication tool; it touches upon who we are. The exhibition presents these experiences not as a problem to be solved, but as a recognizable and universal human reality, relatable even to those without a migration background.
Central to the exhibition are historical and recent stories from the museum's collection, including letters from emigrants and contemporary testimonies. For instance, Irma Lauwers wrote from America in 1927: “Language is the hardest part for me, but I have learned some already.” Another letter from 2003 by Anna Voitka's classmates states: "The teachers find her very sweet and she has made a great effort to learn Dutch." Both letters rightfully share a display case.
Additionally, critical and poetic artworks are featured by artists such as Zineb Sedira, Mekhitar Garabedian, and Louai Hashem. City poet Esohe Weyden wrote the poem ‘My mother gave me everything except my mother tongue’ specifically for the exhibition, visually complemented by Dalilla Hermans. Junior city poet Michaël Liekens also contributed.
For two years, the museum collaborated with Kunst in Zicht in Antwerp's neighborhoods. This resulted in projects focusing on communication across language and generational divides, the new Antwerp 'pidgin language', and 'letters to language' by NT2 students, with contributions from Celia Fechas, Ahilan Ratnamohan, Enrica Camporesi, and word artist Bumba.
The exhibition ‘Between Languages: Searching for Each Other’ offers no ready-made answers but invites visitors to reflect on their own relationship with language. The museum also organizes a comprehensive program with workshops, lectures, and activities for families and multilingual visitors, including a 'Sip and paint' by Dalilla Hermans and a language council by Pidgin Antwerpen.
‘Between Languages: Searching for Each Other’ runs from November 20, 2026, to April 11, 2027, at the Red Star Line Museum. More information is available on the museum's website.
