In early 2026, the municipality of The Hague presented the exhibition Dreams and Talents, which centered on the stories, ambitions, and talents of newcomers.

This new edition, titled Dreams and Talents: Ukraine, focuses on Ukrainian displaced persons in our city. Since the outbreak of the war in 2022, many have had to leave their homes and are building a new life in The Hague.

The people you see here, photographed by Jeffrey Grouwstra from Kijklab, tell personal stories about loss and change, but above all about resilience, hope, and perseverance. With their talents, they are building a new future towards their dreams.

Newcomers to Work
The exhibition is part of the Newcomers to Work initiative. Thanks to the efforts of municipality of The Hague, employers, and partners, more than 400 Ukrainians have already been successfully supported in finding employment since 2024.

This exhibition shows that talent knows no boundaries and that everyone deserves a valuable place in society.

This exhibition will be on display at the Atrium City Hall from July 21 until August 28. Hereafter the exhibition will travel to the municipal locations on Fruitweg and Kerketuinenweg in The Hague.

Kijklab
This photo exhibition is part of Kijklab (Viewing Lab). Jeffrey Grouwstra is the founder and owner of Kijklab. A creative doer and photographer with extensive experience in the social domain, Kijklab initiates various participatory photo projects with social impact. These projects create new perspectives on relevant social and urban issues.