Amsterdam, 23 August 2023 (TDI): Recognizing the legacy of its historic involvement in slavery, the Kingdom of the Netherlands has initiated the Slavery Memorial Year, a year-long endeavor from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, dedicated to acknowledging and reflecting on this integral part of shared history.
The Slavery Memorial Year aims to shed light on the over 300-year history during which individuals from various African regions were captured, subjected to inhumane conditions, and forcibly transported across the Atlantic, predominantly by Dutch slave traders.
Their destinies were intertwined with the former Dutch colonies of Suriname and the Caribbean islands, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.
Moreover, indigenous populations of Dutch colonies and enslaved people from Asia, administered by the United East India Company (VOC), also bore the brunt of slavery’s cruel legacy.
The abolishment of slavery by law on July 1, 1863, in Suriname and the Caribbean islands, once Dutch colonies, marked a turning point.
However, for many, the effects of this historical injustice persisted as a large proportion of the enslaved population continued to work under state supervision on plantations for a decade following the legal ban, mitigating financial losses for plantation owners.
Therefore, the real end of slavery for many was not experienced until July 1, 1873. The year 2023 will commemorate 150 years since this significant event.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands will use the Memorial Year to deeply reflect on this painful past and its lingering impact on modern society.
By supporting initiatives led by various groups and communities with connections to historical slavery, the government aspires to organically foster understanding and dialogue within society.
The government has allocated two million euros to facilitate the organization of events and activities during the Slavery Memorial Year.
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These activities will span from June 2023 to July 2024 and encompass a broad range of initiatives, from large-scale institutions to grassroots community efforts.
The Mondrian Fund and the Cultural Participation Fund will manage the distribution of these funds, ensuring that projects resonate with the public and contribute to enhanced awareness and connectivity within society.
Museums, theaters, archives, artists, and individuals who share a commitment to exploring the historical intricacies of slavery are encouraged to apply for funding to support their commemorative activities.
An independent assessment committee, composed of experts in historic slavery and the communities involved, will carefully review applications submitted to the Mondrian Fund and the Cultural Participation Fund.
