OUssam

Oussam, Algeria (did not want to be filmed or photographed)

Oussam is a musician and a cook at Globe Aroma. He prepares food for the artists when there are parties or other events. He was one of the migrants being arrested during the raid. He was asked for his proof of identity and when he showed it to the police, he was eventually released from custody. He has been living in Brussels for three years now. During this time, he met several people in the city’s artistic scene, who introduced him to Globe Aroma. When asked about his feelings toward the organization, he emphasizes the word togetherness. Making music and experiment with different musical styles is for him an essential aspect of his visits to Globe Aroma. He is a pianist, practiced in oriental as well as occidental music. He visits Globe Aroma approximately two or three times a week.

“Playing together with others is very important to me, for instance with other Globe Aroma artists, getting better together, giving a positive image of these migrants who came here with or without papers, it does not matter”

Oussam played with different musicians, in Algeria as well as in Brussels. He started playing when he was seven and is still active in the musical scene of Brussels. He plays several gigs at parties and also at the university. He did not go to school to study music, something he would have liked to do. Instead, he learned it for himself. The relaxed atmosphere of Globe Aroma is something that he is particularly fond of, the organizations as an artistic space, where you can meet different people from different cultures every day.

Although Oussam got arrested during the police raid, he emphasizes that his music is not at all militant or activist. He prefers to keep his personal opinions about the police raid private. Nevertheless, he observes a changing perception towards migrants in Brussels. It is according to him very important to work together as musicians, to combine musical styles and to learn from each other, as music plays an important role in connecting people.

Oussam feels engaged with the activities of Globe Aroma. His daily activities revolve around working full time in a restaurant, not far from the building, and playing music. He likes to come to Globe Aroma in his free time, engage with and learn from other musicians. Thus, when he is not at home, he is to be found at the open art house, cooking for the visitors and staff, or playing some tunes on the piano.