Keti Koti
Every year on 1 July, we commemorate the abolition of slavery in the Netherlands. This year marks 150 years since the end of slavery in Suriname and the Caribbean in 1873. Keti Koti, meaning 'broken chains', reminds us of the importance of treating each other in an equal manner. Keti Koti is also known within the Kingdom as Dia Di Lucha Pa Libertat and Emancipation Day.
On 1 July, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam presents a programme to commemorate and celebrate together.
Genre Perspective
Language Dutch
Registration is not necessary.
The performances are free to visit. Heri Heri meals can be picked up for free at the Brasserie from 16:00.
Keti Koti
This year, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam is one of the locations where a free Heri Heri meal can be enjoyed. Heri Heri is a meal cooked by enslaved people on plantations during the transatlantic slave trade. In memory of their legacy, Free Heri Heri was created. Launched in 2020, KIP Republic serves free Heri Heri across the country annually on 1 July to raise attention and awareness for this historic day.
Heri Heri means 'whole', a reference to the whole fruits enslaved people were given to eat. Nowadays, the combination of these earth fruits with salted fish and egg is considered a delicacy and is often seen at celebrations or special occasions.
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In addition to serving this meal, ITA also presents readings and performances in the ITA Salon and info hall. These are free to visit.
16:00 - 18:30 Free Heri Heri in collaboration with KIP Republic
16:00 Opening by Diana Vlet and 12 representatives of indigenous Surinamese communities living in the Netherlands and a ritual blessing of the celebration led by Audrey Christiaan
16:30 Returning the Gaze by Sites of Memory
17:00 Performance by pianist Djuwa Mroivili
17:30 Free to be Free by Sites of Memory
18:00 A preview from De plantage van onze voorouders by Orkater
Between the performances, Suus te Braak a.k.a. DJ Hizzle will spin.
Returning the Gaze & Free to be Free
Sites of Memory organises activities based on our shared cultural heritage and the hidden and underrepresented stories of the Netherlands and its former colonies. It was founded by cultural historian Jennifer Tosch and theatre maker Katy Streek. Since 2016, they have been creating an annual site performance about the hidden stories from Amsterdam's slavery and colonial history. On 1 July, Sites of Memory will present excerpts from the performance Returning the Gaze and we will get a sneak preview of the new performance Free to be Free. Singer-songwriters Jörgen Gario, Michael Wanga and Shishani Vranckx will perform, together with dancers and choreographer Jomecia Oosterwolde.
Musical dialogue by Djuwa Mroivili
Pianist Djuwa Mroivili engages in a dialogue through classical music with the portraits of Black creators from ITA's collection of paintings. The portraits of these prominent theatre makers of colour are added to our collection and exhibited annually. Hanging in the info hall is the portrait of Rufus Collins created by Brian Elstak. With her music, Djuwa hopes to permeate the painting and bring it the peace it deserves.
De plantage van onze voorouders
This fall, Orkater's De plantage van onze voorouders (The Plantation of our Ancestors) can bee seen at ITA. This performance is about the relationship between two women, Peggy and Maartje, with intertwined histories. Their meeting is the beginning of a quest in which they mirror, confront and question each other. Together they go back to a shared past, to the plantation Tout Lui Faut in Suriname, the place that connects their ancestors. The performance is based on VPRO's award-winning podcast series. On 1 July, Manoushka Zeegelaar Breeveld and Malou Gorter will give a recitation to the musical accompaniment of violinist Shauntell Baumgard.
On Saturday 1 July, the theatre and music programme of Theater Bellevue, DeLaMar, Paradiso and Internationaal Theater Amsterdam aligns. At Theater Bellevue, ROOF, an investigation will be on show and you can attend a coffee ceremony by Saron Tesfahuney. At Paradiso, you can see choreographer, dancer and sculpture artist Alioune Diagne, among others or visit DeLaMar's Keti Koti Galaconcert.
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