Arm Den haag

Wieteke Van Dort's song 'Arm Den Haag' is a poignant reflection on the sense of loss and nostalgia felt by the Dutch-Indonesian community. The lyrics lament the inability to forget the sounds of krontjong and gamelan, traditional Indonesian music, which symbolize a deep connection to their heritage. The song paints a vivid picture of conversations in an Indonesian restaurant, where memories of 'tempo doeloe'—a term referring to the good old days in Indonesia—are shared. This longing for a distant land underscores the emotional weight carried by those who have been displaced or have left their homeland behind.

The refrain, 'Ach kassian, het is voorbij Kassian, het is voorbij Den Haag, Den Haag, de weduwe van Indie ben jij,' translates to 'Oh pity, it is over, pity, it is over, The Hague, The Hague, you are the widow of the Indies.' This metaphor of The Hague as a widow highlights the city's role as a place of refuge for those who have lost their connection to Indonesia. The use of 'widow' evokes a sense of mourning and loss, emphasizing the emotional and cultural void left by the separation from their homeland.

The song also touches on the attempts to recreate Indonesian culture in the Netherlands, such as cooking traditional dishes and growing tropical plants. However, these efforts are met with challenges, as the neighbors do not appreciate the smells, and the plants do not thrive in the Dutch climate. This struggle to maintain cultural identity in a foreign land is a common theme among immigrant communities. The mention of a painting depicting idyllic Indonesian scenes that does not receive enough light further symbolizes the fading connection to their roots. The absence of Meneer Le Clerque-Zubli, a figure who presumably represents a link to the past, adds to the sense of isolation and disconnection.

'Arm Den Haag' is a heartfelt expression of the pain of displacement and the enduring longing for a lost homeland. It captures the bittersweet reality of trying to preserve one's cultural identity while adapting to a new environment, and the inevitable changes and losses that come with it.