You are very welcome to join students and staff from across HKU in celebrating Keti Koti on Wednesday 1 July.
Keti Koti means “broken chains” in the Sranantongo language of Suriname. On this day, we commemorate and celebrate, for the fifth time at HKU, the abolition of slavery.
What you can expect in the morning programme:
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Nancy Jouwe (author of “Slavernij en de stad Utrecht” and known, among other things, for the Sporen van Slavernij, or 'Traces of Slavery' city walks ) will share insights from her research into the history of the HKU Theatre building at Janskerkhof and its connection to the Netherlands’ colonial past.
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Acting student Maartje Strijk will take us through her exploration of her Dutch and Surinamese roots and identities in her performance Ode aan de Stadsduif ('Ode to the City Pigeon').
“I think in metaphors, which I use to approach a subject from a different angle, as I did in my graduation solo performance Ode to the City Pigeon. It was an ode to myself, to the parts of myself that I both love and struggle with, and to the fact that those things can coexist.” – Maartje
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Fourth-year students Fashion Design Sabrin Abdillahi and Nilan Kuiper will reflect on the question: How does decolonisation influence our identity, perspective and practice as makers?
““With the collection Pulau Tengah, Nilan explores the in-between space of his Moluccan and Dutch heritage. Pulau Tengah means ‘middle island’: a place between two worlds. By blending Eastern and Western styles, he gives shape to the cultural divide in which he grew up.”
About Sabrin's work:
“BECOMING is about transforming pain into the blueprint for something spectacular. It is about harnessing the raw materials of survival: knowledge, experience and courage. It is about forging a future that not only overshadows the past, but redefines what is possible.”
At the end of the morning, there will be an opportunity to continue the conversation while enjoying traditional Surinamese treats: eksi kuku and bojo. In the afternoon, you are welcome to attend the Keti Koti celebration in Griftpark independently.
Be moved. Listen. Speak. Join in.
Together, we pause and reflect, so that together we can move forward.
Date: Wednesday 1 July
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (doors open at 9:45 am)
Location: HKU Theatre, Janskerkhof 17–18
No registration required.
We hope to see you there!
