Asylum seekers - who are they, really? Where do they come from and what do their lives look like? What occupies them? What do they expect of their future? Questions like these formed the starting point for the foundation Open Mind in making the exhibition '50 Encounters'. The foundation asked 50 Dutch celebrities to talk to 50 unknown asylum seekers. 50 Renowned photographers were asked to make a portrait.

The result: the exhibition and the book '50 Encounters', in which 50 refugees of different ages and coming from different countries tell their stories - as recorded by authors such as Jan Mulder, Huub van der Lubbe, Loretta Schrijver, Freek de Jonge and Katja Schuurmans, and pictured by photographers such als Erwin Olaf, Patricia Steur, Guus Dubbelman, Morad Bouchakour and Sander Veeneman.

In co-operation with the foundation Open Mind, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the foundation Colourful Groningen and the International Day Against Racism, Noorderlicht presents this remarkable exhibition in Groningen.

In a replicated asylum seeker's residence, during the show the documentary 'I Seek...' will also be shown. This 10-minute film was made by Arold Langeveld and Gabor Deak in asylum seeker's centre De Lier.

Opening dates:

8 March - 30 March, 2003, at the location of the future comic strip museum: corner of Westerkade / A-weg.

Opening hours:

Tuesday till Sunday 11:00 - 18:00; Thursday 11:00 - 21:00.

The book '50 Encounters' is for sale at the exhibition.

The foundation Open Mind (Amsterdam) was founded in 2002 and aims to challenge injustice, misunderstanding and prejudice. The foundation's first project, '50 Encounters', premiered late 2002.

In the context of the tenth anniversary of the annual event Colourful Groningen next to this exhibition several activities will take place. Some highlights:

* A performance by Liberian writer Vamba Sherif, with muscial accompanyment by the Afghan musician Khaled Abha. (Public Library, March 18)
* Talkshow about Groningen's multicultural society, with a.o. Hans Alders, singer Izaline Callister, police chief Sitalising; musical accompanyment by the Iranian trio of Hadi Hasheminejad. (Huis de Beurs, March 20)
* Musique du Monde at the International Day Against Racism: a varied night of World Music in Jarabi Kuta (Dierenriemstraat 1) with a.o. Khaled Abha (Afghanistan), Hadi Hasheminejad (Iran), Kwame 'Mos' Lumumba Nkhruma (Angola), Johnny Baby (Ghana) and Los Hermanos; presentation: Tee Mano.