Courage and a sense of meeting at Musis

Bring your buddy!

The tickets that Musis has made available are intended for people who participate in the buddy program of Buddy to Buddy Arnhem, which connects newcomers and fellow citizens. Prior to the show there is a support act where everyone can meet each other. At 7 p.m., the first visitors start to trickle in. They are welcomed by Maike and Marli from the #Meedoenbalie. The more people, the more anticipation, all buddies seem to have thought, because the turnout is large. The tables at the top of the foyer, where project coordinator Mila from Buddy to Buddy provides the support act, are slowly filled with expectant and expectant faces.

At home in Arnhem

At one of those tables sit Clarisse, Martine and Abdelmoneim. Abdelmoneim came alone. He is still waiting for a buddy match and today he sets foot in a theater for the first time in his life. There is no lack of a sense of encounter and courage. Clarisse has been to a performance once before. She is on the steering committee of Buddy to Buddy and she and Martine have been buddies for about two years. ‘Since I got Martine, I feel at home in Arnhem,’ says Clarisse. ‘You feel you belong here, or how do you say that?’ This also applies to Martine, who was new to the Arnhem area when she started being a buddy.

Balancing game

When everyone is seated, Mila gives a welcome speech in English and Dutch. When asked who has ever been to Musis, about ten fingers go up in the air. She says that the show that is about to start is about working together, making connections and pushing boundaries. She also explains what the rules are in a Dutch theatre, because that is not a matter of course when you come from far away. After all participants are informed, Mila has another balancing game up her sleeve: ‘It’s fun to be physically busy instead of sitting at a table with each other all the time.’ Another advantage is that language is superfluous in this exercise. Everyone can participate.

New connections

And that is what happens. Hardly anyone says no to Mila’s invitation and soon everyone in the room is on one leg. Quiet and steady like Abdelmoneim who comes close to becoming the winner of this mini competition, or in a ballerina or karate kid pose, like the more expressive buddies. The exercise is an icebreaker and makes new connections between the attendees in the form of jokes, a smile or a conversation. ‘That is exactly the intention of this support act. It ensures that people meet each other and if they see each other somewhere else afterwards, it is easier for them to sit down together,’ says Mila. ‘It’s nice to see that not only new buddies came to this evening, but also people who have been doing this for some time. This really creates a community. And what Verre Binding also does well,’ she adds, ‘is to make certain cultural places accessible to Arnhemmers from afar.’

Out of your comfort zone

For Naji and Christa, the show in Musis is the first cultural outing since they became buddies in September. Christa enjoyed the show and the evening very much, she says afterwards. ‘I realised that I was living in a bubble and becoming a buddy is a great way to do something about that and at the same time mean something to others.’ For Naji, this is not only the first time experiencing culture with Christa, but also his very first theatre experience ever. ‘I like it,’ he says when the performance is over. ‘I don’t like too many people, so I had to get out of my comfort zone. But I found it interesting, because by participating in the program I meet people.’ Mission accomplished! On to the next outing.