A Dutch refugee advocacy organization has created a provocative installation that challenges a common misconception about accommodations for asylum seekers. VluchtelingenWerk Nederland transformed a building in central Amsterdam into Hotel AZC — a mock emergency shelter that gives visitors a firsthand look at the stark reality faced by those seeking refuge in the Netherlands. The temporary exhibition, open on 12–13 December 2024, forcefully pushes back against the narrative that asylum seekers enjoy comfortable hotel stays.
The initiative comes at a time when approximately 36,000 asylum seekers, including 6,000 children, are housed in emergency shelters across the Netherlands. These asylum centers, AZC for short, are plagued by poor hygiene, noise pollution and a severe lack of privacy. Frequent relocations across the country contribute to stress, uncertainty and depression among residents. “We hear politicians pushing for austerity, and there are many misunderstandings about refugee accommodation in the Netherlands,” says Frank Candel of VluchtelingenWerk. “That’s why we’re inviting everyone to come see for themselves.” By making the invisible visible, the organization hopes to spark a more fact-based public dialogue about refugee housing conditions.
As concerns mount about AI’s role in amplifying false narratives, initiatives like Hotel AZC demonstrate how immersive, real-world experiences can effectively counter digital disinformation. The power of firsthand observation — seeing, hearing and feeling the reality of emergency shelters or any other contested subject — creates an emotional connection that algorithms can’t replicate.