During the festive handover ceremony for MIX Amsterdam, spoken-word artist and poet Luan Buleshkaj delivered an impressive tribute to this new home in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. In his recital, he poignantly captured the diversity, authenticity and sense of community that characterise MIX Amsterdam and the surrounding area. His story made it clear that an area is not shaped by buildings alone, but above all by the people who live, work, run businesses, meet and visit there. It is the residents, entrepreneurs and visitors who, together, write the stories of this place, both today and in the future.
With his tribute to MIX Amsterdam, Osdorpplein City Centre and Nieuw-West, Luan symbolically handed over the story of this development to the city. A story that will continue to grow and be enriched from now on by everyone who makes MIX Amsterdam a welcoming and hospitable home.
Luan was born and raised in Amsterdam-West. His work has won him the Ramses Shaffy Prize, and he has performed at numerous venues and festivals across the country. His sharp, weekly columns on NPO Radio 1 regularly go viral. Luan is currently presenting a documentary series for BNNVARA on Kosovo and Albania, which is due to be broadcast on TV in February 2027.
Below you will find a translation of his tribute in Dutch
We make a home together
Take a look around you
Look at the people
Look at the streets
Look at this place
Osdorp is our village
Throw that fresh merguez on the grill
Spicy Adana kebab
Or marinate yourself in that chicken ketjap
Here you’ll find the best food in town
You already knew that
From couscous to kapsalon
From baklava to bitterballen
But this is more than just a full plate
It’s a place brimming with paving stones that hold memories
Chattering cycle paths, pigeons daydreaming
Here, every building stands as a home
And everyone’s welcome to drop by
the buildings Pine, Hazel, Cedar, Laurel, Willow or Lime
No one will stand in your way
Here, living, working, art and culture come together
Social housing, private sector or owner-occupied
We know no value
Our ethical foundation is solid
And so we can put down roots here
The place where simply being yourself is tolerated
The place where, in Westmarket, you dry off straight away after a rain shower
Where the fee for your parking permit hasn’t been increased yet
This is the manifesto of Nieuw-West
Amsterdam is a mix of people, greenery and pure freedom
Where the world comes together
Where you hear a hundred languages
And yet you understand every word
Salaam, good morning, bon dia, bon giorno
Texts, letters and sonnets
Find their home in the Verhalenhuis
The centre for pure art and culture
Films, books, performances
And all for everyone in the neighbourhood
Here, on Osdorpplein
A new chapter is being written today
For young and old, born and bred here
Or those who’ve come from far afield
Every building is a beginning, every home is a start
Osdorpplein town centre
The vibrant soul, the beating heart
Of Nieuw-West
Where greenery meets the city
Where the Sloterplas reflects the sky
A reflection of Mokum perfection
Casper walks behind his pram
Laila’s complaining about the weather again
Freezing cold winter days
A balmy summer evening at Tussen Meer
Where kids wear the latest fashions
Seeing and being seen
We embrace it all
Here, courage and pride are second nature
This is Osdorp folklore
Translating stories and listening to words
They once called this a problem neighbourhood
But when I look around me
I see not strife, but unity
And no one who backs down from a challenge
Seeking the solution together
That’s how we stand stronger
Through trial and error
Carrying on without shame
A city is built with bricks
But we make a home together
