Gazi from DIDF

Gazi has been actively involved with DIDF for more than 43 years, both in Zaanstad and nationally. As the father of two children, he is committed to equality, cooperation and social justice. DIDF's main goal is to promote the integration of the Turkish-Dutch community. Democracy, equal rights and fair treatment - including work and pay - are core values for him and DIDF.

Now DIDF is also going to collaborate with the Zaans Cultuurhuis. Starting September 30, DIDF will organize a weekly folk dance class that anyone may attend. This will allow older and younger people to come into contact with a new or familiar cultural expression.

In addition to the folk dances, Gazi would like to see the culture house grow even further. With activities like this and others, he hopes it will truly become a vibrant place where other activities can then be organized.

Gazi hopes that the culture house will bring people closer together and that more and more loose groups within the culture house will be able to organize things together for the neighborhood.

'The more partners the better. That's why we are also starting the culture house this year. For us that is very important. And I think not only for us but also for the rest of the city. For our society such places are important; they create more unity and more cooperation.'

According to Gazi, racism and discrimination make connecting different cultures so important for our future just now. DIDF has wanted to play a role in this for years and continues to do so.

If it continues to grow in the future, he has even more plans for the culture house. For example, they could start organizing sports activities or activities to promote women's empowerment. Now it starts with folk dance, but there is room for growth.