New Director for the Expatriate Archive Centre

The Expatriate Archive Centre has this week said farewell to Elske van Holk, who has been the Director of the Archive since it became an independent institution in 2008. Elske leaves an impressive legacy, having overseen the organisation grow in size and stature, with the recent academic symposium “The Expatriate Experience: Past and Present” being a particularly notable achievement.

The new Director for the Expatriate Archive Centre is Kristine Racina. Kristine is originally from Latvia and is married to a Dutch diplomat. She has a degree in Economics and Business Administration, is fluent in English, Russian and Latvian, and also speaks Dutch and French. Kristine has first-hand experience as an expatriate in Yemen and the Netherlands, and is already a well-known figure in the international community of The Hague having organised the Feel at Home Fair 2012. Especially important for her role in the Expatriate Archive Centre is Kristine’s previous experience as a volunteer for The Hague Municipal Archives on the history of international schools.

The EAC relies on their hard-working and enthusiastic volunteers, who work on projects ranging from archiving and cataloguing to article-writing and marketing. Volunteers at the Archive have always commented on the welcoming atmosphere and helpful staff, and the EAC intends to maintain the professional, friendly and international environment.

Kristine Racina said, “I am really excited to start working for such a unique organisation like the EAC. Being an expat myself, the EAC mission and goals are close to my heart. The EAC strives to become the first stop in the research process of expat issues and I am looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities ahead. ”

Elske van Holk commented, “I am convinced that, thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers, I leave the EAC in a very good state. Kristine is a very safe pair of hands to which I entrust the EAC with great confidence. The future of the Archive Centre is bright and looks extremely good.”