Discover the stories behind Keti Koti
You’re standing at the heart of the Keti Koti exhibition. Around you are voices, images, and histories—woven together to commemorate and celebrate the end of slavery in Suriname and the Caribbean.
Broken chains
Keti Koti means 'broken chains' in Sranan Tongo. It is a moment of reflection and of liberation, marked each year on July 1st in Surinam and the Netherlands. On the islands of Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Bonaire, this moment is known as Emancipation Day and celebrated on August 1st.
Stories of resistance and resilience
This exhibition invites you to look closer. To learn, to feel, and to connect. As you move through the space, you’ll encounter stories of resistance and resilience, student portraits wrapped in heritage, and a timeline that sheds light on a history often left in the shadows.
By scanning this QR code, you’ve unlocked the English translations of the stories around you. These are not just facts from the past—they are personal legacies, living traditions, and powerful reminders of the value of freedom and equality.
About the exhibition
This exhibition unfolds in several parts. Each one offers a different way to engage with the history, stories and legacies of slavery and freedom.
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A timeline tracing key moments in the history of transatlantic slavery
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Portraits of resistance heroes who shaped the struggle for freedom
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A photo series created by students, celebrating identity and heritage through traditional dress
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Personal stories from students reflecting on their roots and the meaning of Keti Koti today
Take your time. Look closely. Let the past speak to the present.
Timeline
Milestones in the History of Transatlantic SlaveryFollow this timeline as it unfolds along the walls. Each date marks a turning point in the colonial system and the fight for justice.
Founding of the Dutch West India Company (WIC)
Piet Heyn seizes the Spanish Silver Fleet for the WIC, fueling colonial expansion
Dutch colonisation of Brazil begins
Dutch forces seize territories including Elmina, Luanda, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Berbice and Suriname
Maroon resistance in Suriname intensifies (Boni Wars)
Tula leads a large-scale uprising on Curaçao
Legal abolition of slavery, though forced labour continues under state supervision (Staatstoezicht)
End of Staatstoezicht in Suriname: freedom in practice
The Netherlands recognises slavery as a crime against humanity
Dutch government issues formal apology for slavery
Resistance Heroes
Courage that carried through generationsThe people you meet here are more than historical figures. They were thinkers, leaders, and visionaries who stood up to injustice, often at great personal cost.
