WILLEMSTAD – Carried by enthusiastic participation and rich workshops, the inaugural Nederlands Journalistiek Festival (NLJF) held September 12–13 in Deventer marked a milestone for journalism—particularly for media professionals from the Caribbean. Among them was Aldrich Hermelijn of Curacao Chronicle, one of 14 journalists from the Dutch Caribbean who took part in the festival’s first edition, organized by Huis voor de Journalistiek.
The festival transformed Deventer’s historic city center into a hub of journalistic exchange and learning. Over two intensive days, journalists from across the Netherlands and the Caribbean had free access to more than 75 presentations, panels, courses, conversations, and workshops. A volunteer corps of 45 people ensured the festival ran smoothly.
Learning Across Borders
For Caribbean journalists like Hermelijn, the NLJF provided more than just new skills. It offered unique insight into how Dutch journalism works—the standards, the tools, the ways of constructing stories, and integrating multimedia and cross-disciplinary reporting. It exposed them to new methods of storytelling, digital tools, ethics debates, and networking that are often harder to access in more remote settings.
Hermelijn said the experience was eye-opening, especially seeing how Dutch peers handle investigative work, public accountability, and cross-border journalism. The workshops revealed both shared challenges—such as limited resources—and new possibilities for collaboration.
Why This Matters
This festival isn’t just an exchange of ideas; it’s a bridge. When Caribbean journalists gain exposure to workshop formats, panels with high-profile speakers, and a wide variety of journalistic disciplines, they return home better equipped to serve their local audiences. They bring back not just new techniques but heightened expectations for transparency, storytelling depth, and press freedom.
For smaller newsrooms in Curaçao and the Dutch Caribbean, which often juggle many hats, learning the workflows, tools, and professional standards from larger media landscapes can help raise the quality and credibility of local journalism.
Looking Forward
NLJF organizers described the festival as being free and designed for those who care deeply about journalism—from newcomers to veteran editors. The theme for future events includes strengthening the profession by sharing ideas, doubts, and plans, meaning the Caribbean presence is likely to grow. Hermelijn and others hope next year will bring even more Caribbean voices—and that Dutch and Caribbean journalists build ongoing partnerships, co-productions, and mutual learning exchanges.
In a media world that often feels more global than local, events like NLJF are vital. They offer not just professional growth, but solidarity, inspiration, and the shared conviction that journalism—whether you are reporting in Deventer or Willemstad—matters deeply.
