Fenix Museum Expands the Discourse on Migration

On 15 May, Fenix, a new museum dedicated to the ever-shifting terrain of migration, will open its doors in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Here, director Anne Kremers talks about the institution’s commitment to community participation, presenting migration as a multifaceted narrative, shaped by trauma, hope and resilience.

Ivana Cholakova Can you speak to the origins of Fenix – what conversations or urgencies gave it form?

Anne Kremers I think the site itself marked the start of the project. Fenix is situated in a former warehouse, built in 1923, which we’ve renovated over the past eight years. It sits opposite the quay from which millions of people boarded ships and set sail to the United States and Canada. A lot of people also arrived here because Rotterdam is a harbour city. The Katendrecht peninsula, where Fenix is located, was the first Chinatown of continental Europe. The city is an important place of departure and arrival, making it the perfect setting for investigating narratives about migration.

IC The museum encourages community involvement, particularly through spaces like Plein. How do you envision this participatory approach influencing the museum’s evolving identity?​

AK Plein is a new public space dedicated to fostering connections within the Rotterdam community. This includes everything from playing games to cultural celebrations like Chinese New Year. There’s also a big kitchen, which regularly prepares different cuisines. The public square hosts workshops, events, film and theatre performances which are usually free and openly accessible to the public. We will continue to adapt the programme as the museum opens. The goal is to create an institution that grows and changes with the people it serves, rather than remaining a static cultural space. People’s relationship to migration is extremely personal and we would like to reflect this in our programming.

IC How do you see Fenix adapting to the current institutional landscape?

AK I think, when you open a new institution, it’s important to be conscious of the existing cultural network. The ambition is not merely to create for the now, but to cultivate a space that resonates across generations. You have a big responsibility as an organization to foster inclusivity. A museum is a place for everyone, not just a select group of people.

IC Every new institution enters the public eye with a sense of both anticipation and vulnerability. What complexities or challenges do you foresee emerging in the museum’s first season?

AK Over the past eight years we have meticulously reconsidered every facet of the museum with care and intention. But the moment we open our doors its reception is out of our hands. It’s up to the public to make their own opinions. I'm really looking forward to this.

IC In working with artists from across the globe, how do you approach the ethics of representation – particularly when dealing with stories marked by trauma, dislocation or erasure?

AK Our aim is to present migration as a multifaceted human experience – showing both the pain and the potential for hope, while always centring the personal stories. Our permanent collection features work that reflect this duality. For example, Syrian refugee Omar Imam’s photograph Space Refugee [2019] shows him and his daughter as superheroes on a Skippy ball inhabiting a fantasy world. I find the work really touching as it represents the universal human desire to create a better life for our children. Similarly, Yinka Shonibare’s sculpture Refugee Astronaut [2024] sees a hunched figure carrying personal belongings, symbolizing displacement but also relentless adaptability.

IC Looking beyond the opening, what long-term ambitions do you hold for Fenix? What kinds of conversations do you hope the museum will spark?

AK Our goal is to enrich the public’s view on migration by presenting it as a nuanced and universal experience. There is a migration story to tell in every family, one that encompasses trauma, longing and resilience.

Fenix will open in Rotterdam on 15 May

_{Main image: Fenix, Artist Impression, 2025. Courtesy: MAD Architects}