CreEeT is a monthly event that takes place in Dokhuis in collaboration with Stichting Mano. In the simplest way to explain it: we eat and enjoy creativity together. In this blog initiator & organizer Tala explains about CreEet, whya and how we are doing it and also sharing her own personal development around programmaking!
The name CreEeT is a combination of two Dutch words: “Creëren” (to create or make something new) and “Eten” (to eat).
And that is exactly what we do — we share a meal from a different country each time, and afterwards, we do something creative together.
The Heart of CreEeT: Connection and Empowerment
But CreEeT is much more than that.
It’s a space to try new things and get a glimpse of different cultures. It’s about believing in one another and encouraging each other’s abilities. We explore the hospitality traditions of each culture and experience them first-hand.
Another important aspect of CreEeT is empowerment. We encourage newcomers to step forward and show their talents.
We saw that during the very first CreEeT: my heart was filled with joy when one of the volunteers — a drawing teacher — led the workshop and connected with participants in a warm, professional way.
CreEeT is also about connection and conversation.
During dinner and the creative activity, we encourage people to meet and talk to someone new. We don’t interfere with what they talk about; we simply create a safe and relaxed atmosphere where people can lower their guard and open up. Over time,
friendships have formed — participants who once came alone now arrive as groups of old and new friends.
The event is divided into two parts: 18:00–19:00 → Dinner
19:00–21:00 → Workshop
Cooking as a Way to Reconnect
The food concept came from my personal experience living in a refugee camp.
In the camp, people came from many countries — Syria, Eritrea, China, Uganda, Turkey, and more.
I lived there for two years, during which we were not allowed to cook for safety and financial reasons.
We all ate three times a day at the same time — but we never ate together. The restaurant was divided by nationality; each group had its own tables. And the food was never from our home countries.
We missed cooking — an act that, in many cultures, is a form of art and love for family and self.
We missed the flavors of our kitchens: the spices, the aromas, the buttered rice, the warm fresh bread.
That’s when I thought: Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could cook and share our heritage
with each other and the neighborhood?
The food at CreEeT is always prepared by volunteers — either from nearby refugee camps or from the local neighborhood.
So far, we’ve enjoyed dishes from Syria, Iran, Iraq, India, and Myanmar.
We hope to taste dishes from Italy and Uganda in November and December.
Workshops That Give Voice and Visibility
The inspiration for the workshops came from a different place — from a growing need I noticed during various activities inside and outside the camp. Once, I watched a short film made by a camp resident. It showed the challenges of camp life and the difficulty of adjusting to life in the Netherlands — especially the feeling of exclusion and not being able to contribute to the community. It touched me deeply and made me cry. That’s when I realized we need to flip the situation: instead of talking about refugees, create spaces led by them.
Another example is Burendag or Open AZC Dag, when the camp opens its doors to visitors.While the idea is nice, I felt that the true purpose — showing the talents and skills of the residents — wasn’t highlighted enough. There are so many amazing programs and workshops inside the camps, but they rarely reach people outside. If newcomers could connect more with Rotterdammers who have lived here longer, we’d have access to more opportunities, feel more included, and contribute more to the community.That’s why CreEeT workshops were created — to bring hidden talents to light and to
connect communities. Even though the workshops aren’t always led by refugees, they still represent the
creative spirit and resilience of camp life.
How Collaboration Made CreEeT Possible
People often ask me that question.
Yes, the idea sounds beautiful — but how can you actually make it happen?
It’s not easy to reach out to people or ask them to cook or lead a workshop.
But it’s also very hard for them to sit in the camps, unable to use their skills or talents,
just waiting for life to happen.
I don’t have a perfect step-by-step guide — only my personal experience.
Through my work with Mano and Dokhuis, I met many amazing people who are driving positive change in the community.
They introduced me to other individuals and initiatives that also aim to bring people together.
We visited two refugee camps to talk with residents interested in volunteering. I also volunteered briefly at neighborhood centers, with COA, VWN, and Fenix.
Each of these experiences and people helped me build the foundation for CreEeT.
What helped me might not be accessible to everyone — but it shows that it is possible. And I’m always happy to answer questions from anyone or any organization that wants to do something similar.
Learning Along the Way
CreEeT has been a journey for me, too.
Many aspects of the event are challenging: I can’t cook myself, and I’m not particularly creative. I’m also not adventurous when it comes to trying new foods!
Each time, I choose one personal challenge to focus on.
The first CreEeT was just a trial. Later, I reached out to other initiatives such as Art is Home — we had a wonderful sketching session together. Another collaboration was with Talent aan de Maas, where we spent a joyful evening singing in Dutch, Arabic, and Ukrainian.
Because we cook food from a different country each month, I’ve learned how to find
special ingredients in Dutch supermarkets and local ethnic stores.
I also start and end each event with a short speech in Dutch — to practice overcoming
my fear of speaking the language. It’s getting easier each time!
Publicity is still a challenge, as it’s not something I have experience in.
But I’ve joined several local art and food community groups, and I’m learning step by
step.
The Great CreEeT: A Celebration of Harmony
After seven CreEeT events, I see great improvement in organization, workshop quality, and food preparation.
But there’s still room to grow — especially in publicity, follow-up, and gathering feedback.
For the tenth edition, I’d love to organize a big one-time celebration called “The Great CreEeT.”
In my mind, I see a large cultural hub where we invite back all the volunteer cooks and workshop leaders — to thank them for their contribution and to celebrate the beautiful harmony of all our cultures together.
Each month we highlight one country — but at The Great CreEeT, I’d love to have a snack from every culture we’ve hosted and a corner to showcase the talents we’ve celebrated along the way.
Join the CreEeT Community
Would you like to be part of CreEeT?
Come join us next month at Dokhuis for another evening of food, creativity, and connection.
Everyone is welcome — just bring your curiosity and your smile!
You can check the upcoming dates and sign up via the Dokhuis website.