Tourists as Ambassadors of a non-recognised Nation
Most maps don’t mark out Somaliland. But going there is getting easier. The self-declared republic, an autonomous region of Somalia, hopes that international visitors will function as de facto ambassadors to the non-recognised nation.
Aron Goossens | 6 Jul 2026
Off the Map at De Richel, Amsterdam
With music from Ukrainian born Alex Tugushin about borders that turn into battlefields and documentary photographer Rachel Corner on trees that foreshadow and facilitate colonization. Further: graphic designer Floor Koomen on Nutopia, journalist Jorie Horsthuis on Hormuz and a quiz by researcher Suzanne Hendriks.
Suzanne Hendriks | 10 May 2026
Off the Map #2 at AINSI
With writer Philip Dröge about Moresnet, a musical experiment by Daan Soenens and his band, some nutopian imagining by graphic designer Floor Koomen and journalist Jorie Horsthuis about her visit to the Strait of Hormuz. And as always, a nerdy quiz by researcher Suzanne Hendriks.
Suzanne Hendriks | 15 Apr 2026
Waiting On the Water
A boat rests quietly on the calm waters of Haarlem, in the Netherlands. From afar, it might look like any ordinary vessel. But inside, it holds stories of loss, survival, and the heavy weight of uncertainty. ‘Waiting is a quiet battle. You wake up every morning not knowing what your future will be.’
Fanuael Hailemariam | 9 Apr 2026
Off the Map at LUX Nijmegen
On March 24th, we were at LUX Nijmegen. With a mini-lecture by border professor Henk van Houtum and music by harpist Jareach Gilula. Journalist Jorie Horsthuis talked about Nagorno-Karabakh and graphic designer Floor Koomen had a presentation about how geopolitics sometimes play out on the square centimeter. And of course, there was a nerdy quiz by researcher Suzanne Hendriks with some legit flag waving.
Suzanne Hendriks | 30 Mar 2026
Bridging the De Facto Border
Welcome to De Facto’s new interview series, in which we interview scientists, artists and journalists about contested borders. What is their perspective on this urgent theme, and how does their work contribute to a better understanding? In this second edition, we interview Gaëlle Le Pavic and Said Gezerdava, who team up to write about Abkhazia.
Max Smedes | 29 Mar 2026
A Song Beyond the Border
How does it feel to grow up at a crossroads between borders? ‘The region is like an apple cut into two halves’, writes the Afghan journalist Saadat Mousavi in his poetic essay about life on the bank of the Amu Darya. ‘The river is a witness to our connectedness.’
Saadat Mousavi | 18 Mar 2026
‘You Need a Crisis Before the World Starts Listening To You’
Welcome to De Facto’s new interview series, in which we interview scientists, artists and journalists about contested borders. We kick off with political scientist Ramesh Ganohariti, who has recently co-authored a book on sub-state recognition. ‘States have become more emboldened to throw the international playbook out of the window.’
Jorie Horsthuis | 11 Mar 2026
Filmfestival Vlieland
On Februari 20-22, De Facto teamed up with writer Adwin de Kluyver and Podium Vlieland - the cutest cinema on the Wadden island of Vlieland - to organise an Off the Map film festival. People travelled from all over the Netherlands and even from Berlin to be with us on the island for three days.
Suzanne Hendriks | 25 Feb 2026
The Other Side of the Border
What happens when the border between Turkey and Armenia will finally open? Drawing on personal experience with transformations in the South Caucasus, Olesya Vartanyan explores how decisions made in one corner of this region impact all who live there.
Olesya Vartanyan | 20 Feb 2026
