HOME TOURS IN ROTTERDAM CENTRAL DISTRICT WITH

Albert Kramer

Though he left several times, professional artist Albert Kramer always found himself back in Holland’s port city, ultimately for good. Now, he and his wife have been living “at the centre of the world” for over forty years, with whatever their hearts desire around the corner, in a neighbourhood that is an oasis of tranquillity.

ALBERT, DID YOU GROW UP IN ROTTERDAM?

“I was born in 1954 in Rotterdam Zuid, in the Charlois district, where I lived until the age of twelve. Then there was an economic downturn in the Netherlands and my dad decided to close down his sewing machine shop to become a swimming instructor in Dreumel, in the Meuse and Waal river region. But after three years we had to go back to the city and wound up on Wolphaertsbocht. After studying in Apeldoorn I decided to come back to Rotterdam, where I met my wife. Now we’ve been living in this lovely spot for forty years.”

WHAT MAKES PROVENIERSWIJK A NICE NEIGHBOURHOOD TO LIVE IN?

“Above all, the fact that there’s nothing here. Although, there is a lot in the immediate vicinity: the supermarket diagonally opposite, a small community theatre, and Centraal Station is also nearby. It’s really the centre of the world. The neighbourhood is quiet, but the community itself is very active. Initiatives are taken up and followed through. I’m part of our living environment group, which is about art and vegetation in the neighbourhood. We’re also involved culturally. Any time the local theatre, Het Kapelletje, calls for extras, we’re all ready to go.”

WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO GO IN OR AROUND THE CENTRAL DISTRICT?

“If we walk through the tunnel we come right out into the thick of things at the other end. I love swimming and in Van Maanenstraat there’s a good place for that. I also like doing yoga or track and field activities some afternoons. Everything is outside our neighbourhood, but still around the corner. And I’m a member of the choir at our communi - ty centre, De Waerschut. That’s great fun, getting together to sing and trade the latest news. Walking the dog along the canals is always beautiful, too.”

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU THINK COULD BE IMPROVED IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OR DISTRICT?

“There are some issues, like the lack of upkeep that needs more attention. But I think you get that sort of issues anywhere. On the whole, I am a very contented resident. You can walk around safely. Thankfully, the days of Perron 0 [an area notorious for drug use in the 1980s and 90s, ed.] are behind us. And there’s no street racing anymore either since this was turned into a one-way road and 30-kilometre zone.”

THE DISTRICT HAS SEEN TREMENDOUS DEVELOPMENT IN RECENT YEARS AND A LOT MORE IS IN THE PIPELINE. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

“These developments are positive in some cases and not in others. The idea to build a big tower right behind the station would have blocked all the sunlight in our neighbourhood. We all banded together to fight that, and won. They built a school instead, which is good.”

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ALSO GETS TO ENJOY YOUR ARTWORKS. WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

“I earn my living making fine art for public areas. They are synthetic polyester sculptures like my Papekiet [hybrid parrot and parakeet, ed.] between two buildings. You can also see my rose windows in Jacob Loisstraat. And I’ve painted murals at Het Kapelletje and other places with people from the neighbourhood.”

Albert Kramer

Hobbies: Swimming in open water, walking the dog and singing.

Favourite spot at home: We recently moved the living room to the back of the house. It’s a nice quite spot where we can relax with the doors open. And our rooftop terrace is wonderful.

Favourite spot in RCD: The track, the swimming pool and the community centre (De Waerschut).