Remembering Life Along the River: Alternative Histories along the Grensmaas

Abstract

This article explores the banks of the Grensmaas, a stretch of the Maas River in the province of Limburg, in search of alternative narratives that contrast with traditional Dutch water management’s deeply engrained tradition of “fighting against the water”, where keeping the water out is the primary concern. With interviews and a workshop, focusing on historical narratives and cultural stories that have shaped the community’s relationship with the river, as well as the river imaginaries people carry, alternative narratives emerged of a past life along the river that emphasized on connection with the Maas. In recollections of living along the river, locals expressed a desire to reconnect with their river where they collectively imagine a future in which their river is not something to fear, but a dynamic entity to be enjoyed and respected.