'World Citizens of Amsterdam' is the title of both this photograph and the event at which it was taken on 6th June, 2010. Initiator, coordinator and lead photographer: Marjan Borsjes. Many thanks to Stephan Haas, Joop Schaaps, Dutch den Hollander and Odi Busman for lending their support to this event.

In 2007, Dutch media announced that Amsterdam had been declared the most multicultural city in the world, with citizens of 177 different nationalities (out of a total of 194). This was the spur to organizing a celebration that would gather representatives from as many of these countries as possible, culminating in a group photo taken by Marjan Borsjes.

Three years spent organizing, exploring locations, searching for people - and sponsors via Stichting Interculturele Stad in beeld (SIS) - finally paid off:

Amsterdammers from 70 different countries celebrated, along with Deputy Mayor Asscher, that Amsterdam has inhabitants from almost every internationally-recognized country in the world (178 out of a total of 194).

Nationalities that were present:
Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chile, China, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, Great Britain, Greece, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Macedonia, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sudan, Surinam, Swaziland, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe… and even Uygur.

World Citizens of Amsterdam was organized by Photography Marjan Borsjes and Foundation Interculturele Stad in beeld (SIS)
met hulp van het Bevolkingsregister, Gemeentelijk Bureau Onderzoek en Statistiek, Jacob Hooij, Kesbeke, Artikler, Brede school de Kinkerbuurt, Huis van de Buurt De Klinker, Buurtcentrum De Havelaar, DOCK, SBOW, Combiwel, Anousha Nzume, NOPPES, Initiatieven Jelly Bar (Baarsjes) en Dag van de buurt (Jordaan), Wereldpand, Walking the Globe, Wereldse Wijk, Young Global People, Alternative View, Evenaar & Partners, Open Circles Academy (bijenkorf workshop), Vluchtelingenwerk van Amstel tot Zaan, Vrijwilligers Centrale Amsterdam, Buurtkamer Costa & Co, DIDF-DVA, Jonge Sla, Stichting OnFile, Mixen in Mokum, Varend Inburgeren.

Click to video report by Dutch J den Hollander