Keti Koti Lunch Lecture
30 June 2025
12:00 - 13:15
Speakers' Corner
Remembering, sharing, and looking ahead
On June 30, we invite you to a special lunchtime event dedicated to Keti Koti: the day we commemorate the abolition of slavery in Suriname and the former Dutch Antilles. A moment of remembrance, celebration, and reflection.
During this afternoon, we pause—but also move forward. We remember, we celebrate, and we reflect on what Keti Koti means: then, now, and in the future. What does this day teach us about the fight for freedom, and the recognition that is still not self-evident? How do we pass on this tradition, so its message continues to live within and beyond us?
Two speakers will share their work and experiences: Janice Deul and Shanella Bleecke. The discussion will be moderated by Demi Vreden, who will engage both the guests and the audience in a conversation about the significance of Keti Koti in today’s society.
After the panel discussion, we’ll listen to storytelling that powerfully brings the past to life.
In the Atrium, between 1:00 and 2:00 PM, you can admire vibrant Surinamese cloths. Frank from the Alkoyemi Foundation will be present to share the stories and meanings behind the fabrics.
And of course, the traditional Heri Heri will not be missing: a Surinamese dish that originated from the limited ingredients available on plantations, symbolizing resilience and connectedness. Heri Heri will be offered free of charge.
Come to listen, share, taste, and remember.
Everyone is welcome!
Note: this event is in Dutch.
Janice Deul
Janice Deul (she/her) is an Afro-Dutch journalist, DEI professional, and fashion and culture activist with over 20 years of experience in the magazine industry. Since 2011, she has been working toward an inclusive and safe climate in the fashion, media, and art sectors. She does this through speaking engagements, moderating, consulting, curating, her platform Diversity Rules, and as a guest lecturer.
In 2023, she published Keti Koti, an accessible reference guide about the commemoration and celebration of the abolition of slavery, in which she advocates for July 1 to become a national day of remembrance.
In June 2025, her book Tomorrow I Am Free: Stories about Slavery will be published—a youth anthology for which she wrote the story of resistance heroine Ma Pansa. On June 10, her pamphlet-style book Can I Still Feel at Home in This Country? will be released, reflecting on Dutch citizenship, identity, and belonging.
Shanella Bleecke
Shanella Bleecke is a multidisciplinary creator and creative professional from Almere, with both Surinamese and Dutch roots. She graduated in 2021 as an audiovisual specialist from Mediacollege Amsterdam and has since built a diverse career in the cultural sector as a program maker, curator, and filmmaker. Shanella focuses on telling unheard stories and promoting social justice and inclusion. Her work often involves using audiovisual archive material to offer new perspectives and contribute to the decolonization of film archives.
In 2024, Shanella took on the role of Head of Presentation, Education, and City Programming at Kunstlinie, where she is responsible for developing policy and leading the execution of activities for the art hall.
Demi Vreden
Demi Vreden is a fourth-year European Studies student and the visionary behind the Faluma platform. With a deep-rooted passion for human rights and racial justice, she is committed to projects that promote inclusivity and empowerment. Her identity as a young, Black, queer woman is not only something she embraces, but something she strives to make visible in society.
As the founder of Faluma, Demi is building a platform that connects young people with Afro-diasporic backgrounds in the Netherlands. Faluma emerged from her own search for a community where she could be fully herself. What started as a personal desire is now growing into a space where a lasting voice for Black people is being cultivated.
In addition to her activism, she expresses her experiences and perspectives through creative work. As a poet and spoken word artist, she explores themes such as the legacy of slavery, women’s rights, and queer inclusivity.
Alkoyemi Foundation
The Alkoyemi Foundation is a creative and socially engaged organization that uses art and education to tell stories that matter. At the center are handmade cloths, each with its own story brought to life through storytelling. By combining words and imagery, Alkoyemi raises awareness about themes like identity, inclusion, and cultural diversity. The foundation believes in the power of imagination as a tool to move, connect, and spark dialogue and action—both within and beyond the community.
This event is from The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse is a program full of interesting activities on current, social and global issues.
