National Celebration Day of Suriname & French Guyana 2024

• Date: 12 October
• label.tijd 15:00 - 22:00
• Location: Koninklijke Schouwburg, Grote zaal

On Saturday, October 12, you are welcome to join us for the National Maroon Day Celebration. Worldwide, the Maroon communities of Suriname and French Guiana celebrate their ancestors' struggle against oppression and for freedom. In the Netherlands and Belgium, this celebration takes place annually at our place in the Royal Theater. What is special is that the authority figures of all tribes gather here for the Kuutu (traditional people's assembly).

This year, Kula Skoro is producing the musical theater performance Aleke Blue Note. A day ticket for the Day of the Maroons includes this performance.

Aleke Blue Note

Two Afro-Dutch youth are active in the Black Lives Matter movement. They have recently discovered that their Maroon ancestry is closely related to their ancestors' struggle for resistance against oppression and slavery. They like to relate to that. But that there is a whole Maroon we-culture with unique singing and dancing styles is a completely new world for them. Frankly, they have heard more about the Winti rituals from AfroSurinamese culture than their own Maroon culture and its rituals. Except for the Gi Pangi (the adult declaration for girls) or the Gi Kamisa (the adult declaration for boys), which is pure Afro Glamour. That's where fashion and party come together. That is what ALL young people love.

But having to accompany your mother to a death ritual in the interior of Suriname for someone you didn't know yourself, there is nothing glamorous or activist about that, is there? Besides, they never feel that comfortable among all those older Maroons. Rather an outsider.

Strangely enough, upon arrival in Suriname, it turns out that such a Booko De is a super-social and cheerful affair. It is celebration because the mourning period is over. Bonding does take place with local Maroons and not only through dancing in each other's arms at the Aleke. Because they too are fighting against discrimination, against disadvantage and for equal opportunities. Only this is not about black or white. But about discrimination between urban and inland residents.

Program

• 15:00 Wojo and Awasa workshop and pangi wrapping workshop for the public
• 16:30 Plengoffer with authority figures
• 17:00 Peace lecture Kabiteng Kensley Peace
• 17:30 Radio Koyeba talk show
• 17:30 Dinner Meeke Catering opened
• 18:30 Afaka workshop by Kodyo Atooman
• 19:15 Fashion show
• 20:00 Theater performance Aleke Blue Note
• 22:00 Afterparty with live band from Suriname

About Kula Skoro

Kula Skoro was conceived and set up by Jose Tojo; theater producer, percussionist and teacher of Afro-Surinamese dance. The specific Afro-Surinamese dance forms that Kula develops and transmits are part of the Maroon culture in Suriname. The goal of Kula Skoro is to make this beautiful, elegant and ancient dance form accessible to and transfer it to a wider audience.

Show on map