Most of the time in its long history, Bergen op Zoom has been a crossroads of cultures. Its location on a sand ridge on the border of the provinces Zeeland and Noord-Brabant, and later on the border of The Netherlands and Flanders guaranteed strong influences from these nearby areas.
In its heydays as an international market town Bergen op Zoom received many merchants from several European countries. Street names like Engelsestraat and Londonstraat speak for themselves.
From the era the town served as a garrison, there are still names such as Morganstraat (called after an English military governor) en Le Grandstraat (named after a French officer).
Since the seventies a number of international companies, e.g. General Electric Plastics (USA), Philip Morris (USA), Ricoh (Japan), Sabic (Saudi Arabia) established themselves in the town, especially in the port, called Theodorushaven. As a result people from all over the world found a new home in Bergen op Zoom. Besides, a steady stream of citizens from former colonies as well as political refugees came into existence. Finally, more and more local people found partners elsewhere, who also settled here.
Most immigrant workers from Turkey and Morocco, arriving in numbers in the sixties to work in the iron works and similar older factories, decided to stay. Their presence resulted in two mosques.
The most striking mosque is the Ulu Cami (2009). The first mosque (1984) was located in the old milk factory Hollandia in Bruinevisstraat, the new complex found a place on Van Heelulaan in the eastern Gageldonk district. It's not just a house of worship but also functions as a social-cultural centre. The design, by Erdal Önder (eNa Architecten), refers to Ottoman architecture (white walls, a minaret) as well as to the traditional way of building with bricks in The Netherlands. The Ulu Cami is related to the foundation 'Islamitische Stichting Nederland' and will welcome everyone who is interested.
www.alberthagenaars.nl
