ROTTERDAM, 29 May 2025 – Zadkine and Museum Rotterdam have formalised their longstanding collaboration, marking a new chapter in educational heritage engagement in the city. This partnership aims to deepen student understanding of Rotterdam's wartime and post-war history through customised programmes.
Zadkine and Museum Rotterdam confirm official partnership
Museum Rotterdam and vocational education institution Zadkine have formally signed a partnership agreement, solidifying years of informal collaboration. Students and educators from Zadkine have regularly visited Museum Rotterdam '40 – '45 NU to explore the city’s wartime past and post-war reconstruction.
This new agreement is expected to provide more structured opportunities for students to engage with heritage education and civic themes. These include diversity, democratic values, and social responsibility—core objectives of the Dutch citizenship curriculum (Burgerschap).
Customised programmes for MBO students
In recent years, educators from Zadkine and the museum’s educational team have co-developed tailor-made programmes linking historical themes such as remembrance and freedom to students’ everyday experiences. Lessons extend beyond the classroom and museum setting, often taking the form of walking tours, lectures, or performances.
According to Doriene Reitsma, education coordinator at Museum Rotterdam, the partnership highlights the role of heritage education in vocational schools: “With this partnership, we underline the importance of heritage education at MBO level and how history can build bridges to today’s society. We aim not only to inform students but also to inspire them to think critically about the world around them.”
Marloes de Vries, chair of the Zadkine executive board, commented: “To now officially include Museum Rotterdam as a partner is a valuable step forward. This cooperation enables us to develop more programmes that align with our students’ perspectives, helping them to engage with history in interactive and meaningful ways.”
Educating future generations through local heritage
By officially joining forces, Zadkine and Museum Rotterdam aim to make Rotterdam’s heritage more accessible to students, while highlighting the interconnectedness of the city’s past, present and future.
Location of Museum Rotterdam '40 – '45 NU
Museum Rotterdam '40 – '45 NU is located at Coolhaven 375, in the Delfshaven district. The museum is easily accessible by metro (Coolhaven station), tram and bicycle. The surrounding area features the historic harbour, student housing, and several educational institutions.
