The commemoration of those annihilated and others who fell during the II World War and the celebration of the subsequent freedom are major national events in the Netherlands. These annual events take place on the 4th and 5th of May. The general trend in the last years seems to be an all inclusive venture of getting all citizens and other in the Netherlands to participate in the commemoration and the celebrations. Recently, in a program on Radio 1, one of the most influential radio stations in the country, an expert mentioned that knowledge of these two events ought to be a compulsory feature in the official testing of those wishing to become Dutch citizens.
On 5th May musical formations are playing all over the country at festivals and some (pop) artists are flown by helicopters to various venues to sing a few freedom songs. Every year a general discussion appears in the media relating to whether the Germans of today ought to be allowed to commemorate and celebrate with the Dutch. After all, their state and their forefathers were the ones responsible for extinguishing massive numbers of Jewish persons, Gypsies and others. The common norm appears to be that there is no room right now for reconciliation. The Germans are not particularly welcome.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the abolition of Dutch slavery in its Caribbean colonies. For many years the 1st July is referred to by Surinamese as Emancipation day. This is a direct interpretation of the abolition of chattel slavery by the Dutch King William III on the 1st of July 1863. In a sense this date has never really carried much favour with persons hailing from the formerly Dutch Antilles. In the case of Curacao, those who seek to commemorate do this mainly on August 17. This is in memory of the slavery rebellion by Tula and others on August 17th, 1795. Many historians and others are of the opinion that this uprising was an important prelude to the abolishment of Dutch slavery.
In the Netherlands, Surinamese people, who migrated to this country in large numbers in the Seventies carrying with them a Dutch passport, the commemoration of their forefathers who fell or were sacrificed during the dark era of human trafficking and chattel slavery, has always been a fundamental issue. They sought monuments to honor their forefathers and to remind others of their resilience. In the last 20 years around the 1st of July and especially on that day itself many activities are organized mainly by persons of Surinam descent and per definition of Afro Dutch signature. They come together then to commemorate their fore parents and celebrate the freedom via the Keti Koti (Breaking the Chains) festival.
In the case of Amsterdam the Breaking the chains festival has been a huge happening in the last four years, where the National Institute of Dutch Slavery and its heritage (NiNsee) has worked together with the municipality and played a leading role. In this present era where there is much talk pertaining to human rights one wonders if it is not appropriate to elevate the July 1st commemoration of the abolition of Dutch slavery to the national stage. After all, the present Dutch citizens and others residing here have inherited all the losses and especially gains of the Kingdom. Isn't this the right moment to recognize the descendants of those who were enslaved as members of the human family worthy of an annual national commemoration and celebration?
If you wish to learn more about the history of slavery in the Dutch Colonies as well as the agenda of activities in the framework of the 150 anniversary of the abolition please visit www.herdenkingslavernijverleden2013.nl.
Read also our Main Story: Modern Slavery - Find Out Who's Enslaved to You
Read also our main story Who is enslaved to you
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By Artwell Cain
Cain is a Cultural anthropologist/blogger on race, representation and the issues of identity. He is founder of the Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage & Knowledge. ICHK advices and provides knowledge and information in the above mentioned fields. He analyses the factors that have been conducive to the upward mobility of ethnic minorities in The Netherlands and the manner in which youths articulate their sense of belonging . Cain's research has profound relevance for both policy makers, social scientists, students and others. More info.
Pictures: ketikotiamsterdam.nl
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