Frisse Start
Newspaper
On 28 and 29 March 2026, a group of young people—children from families affected by the Toeslagenschandaal—came together to share their experiences of growing up amid the events that profoundly impacted their lives. Over the course of the two-day workshop, they created visual and poetic statements, reflecting on these experiences. Guided by artists Batya Brown, Melissa Strangio, and Nadine Stijns, participants created a wide range of works, including paintings, collages, photography, spoken-word pieces, and textile-based works. This newspaper presents these works, alongside fragments of conversations held during the weekend.
The workshop is part of Frisse Start - a project initiated by the publishing initiative Growing Pains and created in collaboration with Batya Brown, Melissa Strangio, and Nadine Stijns, as well as in dialogue with a growing network of experts and contributors. The project combines research and artistic works from a group of writers and visual practitioners, collectively exploring the Toeslagenschandaal in a publication to be released in 2027.
The newspaper Frisse Start is part of the exhibition Het Aanslag Loket (the counter-tax counter) on show at moezeum, Rotterdam, from 17th of April until 12th of June 2026.
You can also order your copy here:
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The workshop is part of Frisse Start - a project initiated by the publishing initiative Growing Pains and created in collaboration with Batya Brown, Melissa Strangio, and Nadine Stijns, as well as in dialogue with a growing network of experts and contributors. The project combines research and artistic works from a group of writers and visual practitioners, collectively exploring the Toeslagenschandaal in a publication to be released in 2027.
The newspaper Frisse Start is part of the exhibition Het Aanslag Loket (the counter-tax counter) on show at moezeum, Rotterdam, from 17th of April until 12th of June 2026.
You can also order your copy here:
Editors: Growing Pains (Agata Bar, Zhenia Sveshchinskaya, Daria Tuminas)
With works by:
Angèllo, Aurora, Bethel, Bibi Martens, Bryäna Strangio, Gienne Edhart, Gospel, Jan-nima Strangio, Anonymous, Orlando, Salomo, Suntella, Valencio
Guidance by: Batya Brown, Melissa Strangio, Nadine Stijns
Design: Studio Sara Cristina Moser
Printing: Rodi Rotatiedruk
Number of pages: 40
Language: Dutch
Edition: 3.000
Published by Growing Pains in 2026
Made possible with a support of Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie and Cultuurfonds, and in collaboration with Stichting Justify, moezeum, (A)WAKE
With works by:
Angèllo, Aurora, Bethel, Bibi Martens, Bryäna Strangio, Gienne Edhart, Gospel, Jan-nima Strangio, Anonymous, Orlando, Salomo, Suntella, Valencio
Guidance by: Batya Brown, Melissa Strangio, Nadine Stijns
Design: Studio Sara Cristina Moser
Printing: Rodi Rotatiedruk
Number of pages: 40
Language: Dutch
Edition: 3.000
Published by Growing Pains in 2026
Made possible with a support of Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie and Cultuurfonds, and in collaboration with Stichting Justify, moezeum, (A)WAKE
