To America with the Red Star Line

It is 1906. In Europe, the socio-economic situation for a large part of the population is downright miserable. For many, emigrating to the United States of America seems to be the only way out of their misery. In Antwerp, the Red Star Line shipping company is operating at full speed. Flemish, but also Eastern European and Jewish people leave the city on the Scheldt for the States as emigrants. Artist 'of the people' Eugeen Van Mieghem is in the eye of the emigration storm. He draws and paints world history. On 22 December 1906, Rik, Catherine, Melanie, Zenobie and Bernard leave with a particularly colourful group of emigrants on the Vaderland 2 for The Land of Promise. Chronicler Emiel-Jan Van Nevele, a friend of Van Mieghem, accompanies them on their eventful journey. Alex Van Haecke tells the story of the emigrants against the backdrop of the Belle Epoque. Historically correct facts make the book a valuable document of the times. The author evokes the doubts and sorrow of the emigrants in a gripping way. At the same time, he often tragicomically describes their expectations of a better life in America. In 2006, Alex Van Haecke wrote Antwerp theatre history with the play The Red Star Line, which formed the basis for this book. About this theatre production: A beautiful, unpretentious play. It is the ever-recurring account of misery, prejudice against migrants and asylum seekers, the story also of great dreams of those who, as Walter Mehring wrote, are driven into statelessness by the raised hand of 'the Holy Bürokratius'. Rik Van Cauwelaert, Knack