Dreamland - Yallah - Bladi

Dreamland- Yallah - Bladi is Mounir Raji's first solo museum exhibition in Museum Hilversum. In this exhibition, Raji explores the theme of 'Bladi' - the Moroccan word for 'my country'. Where and what is Bladi? Photographer Mounir Raji grew up with summer holidays in Morocco, which seemed like a dream to him. While he looked forward to these idyllic moments, he wondered why his family in Morocco dreamed of a life in the Netherlands.

With this question in mind, the Dutch-Moroccan photographer has traveled through Morocco for the past five years to capture what he missed in the Netherlands: the warmth of family, the beauty of the landscape and the feeling of freedom. This surface in a unique photo book, DREAMLAND, in which he shows daily life as an enchanting mix of reality and nostalgia.

A visual journey between two worlds
Raji’s work touches on themes such as photography, migration, desire and connection. His images stimulate the imagination, evoke memories and invite you to go on a journey of discovery. The exhibition contains three photo series:

Dreamland – An idyllic memory The Dreamland series shows everyday life as an enchanting mix of reality and nostalgia. It is a world where family, endless outdoor play and the Moroccan landscape merge into a dream image. This work reflects the warmth, freedom and happiness that Raji experienced during his summers in Morocco.

Bladi – The impact of climate change Raji created the new series Bladi especially for Museum Hilversum. The Draa River has played a crucial role in the region’s agriculture, fisheries and biodiversity for centuries, but is under pressure from climate change and human intervention. Raji captures how the landscape and the lives of its inhabitants are changing due to the decline in water resources and the ongoing struggle for water.

Yallah – The rhythm of Marrakech
The Yallah series takes a dynamic look at the hectic streetscape of Marrakech, captured from the roof of a family home. The photographs show the diversity of motorcycle traffic in the city and the everyday rhythm of the local population. The title Yallah is an Arabic word with multiple meanings, ranging from ‘let’s go’ to ‘hurry up’, which emphasises the energy and movement in this series.

About Mounir Raji
Mounir Raji (1982) was born and raised in Zaandam. He started his career in sports marketing, but discovered his passion for photography in his mid-twenties. Raji’s autonomous work is strongly inspired by his bi-cultural background, exploring themes such as migration, identity and absence. His photos are characterized by a strong narrative style, recognizable compositions and a rich use of color. In addition to his personal work, he works for various creative clients.

Raji studied at the Amsterdam FOTOfactory and exhibited in renowned institutions such as the Rijksmuseum (2023) and BredaPhoto Festival (2024). In 2023 he self-published the photo book Dreamland, in which he bundled his visual search for 'my country'.

Dreamland- Yallah - Bladi is a must-see for lovers of photography and stories about migration and identity. Let yourself be carried away by the visual language of Mounir Raji and discover how memories and reality come together in his impressive work.