SHOWS
SHOWS
SHOWS
SHOWS
Echoes Of The Enslaved
This project illuminates the hidden legacy of Dutch slavery in the Caribbean. Through immersive experiences, educational initiatives, and community engagement, we aim to foster empathy, understanding, and healing among diverse audiences.
This project is supported by The Cultural Participation Fund. The Cultural Participation Fund aims to encourage and increase participation in the arts and culture.
Synopsis
"Echoes of the Enslaved" is a thought-provoking cultural project that uses film and workshops to explore the enduring impact of the transatlantic slave trade, focusing on the Dutch involvement in the Caribbean. The project comprises three powerful short films, each addressing different facets of the cause and effect of slavery. These films are complemented by a series of workshops aimed at educating and engaging participants on both the historical and personal implications of slavery’s legacy.
"The Betrayal" (First Film)
The first film is a love story set in an African village, where Kembe and Tinka are deeply in love. Their bond is tested when Kembe is betrayed by Sathomey who is also in love with Tinka. This betrayal leads to his capture and forced transportation as a slave. The film highlights the themes of love, trust, and the personal destruction caused by betrayal.
"Middle Passage" (Second Film)
-
The second film focuses on the harrowing journey of the Middle Passage. It follows the experiences of captured Africans like Kembe and others who are shackled and crammed into the hold of a slave ship. Amidst the filth, disease, and death, tensions grow as the Dutch crew struggles with the overwhelming conditions aboard the ship.
"Frontstreet 2025" (Third Film)
The final film moves to the present day, where the legacy of slavery still affects the lives of people in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. This film follows Lucas, a young man struggling with his identity and the lingering effects of his ancestors' involvement in the slave trade.
Supported by the National Fund for Cultural Participation, the "Echoes of the Enaved" project included a series of workshops. These workshops covered various aspects of filmmaking, such as development, prop making, costume fitting, scriptwriting, and historical and restorative workshops. The goal was to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the history of slavery while allowing them to engage creatively with the subject matter.
‘Oualichi’ and the ‘Echoes of the Enslaved’
The artwork is created by Ronald ‘Rusty’ Duikersloot, a skilled metal and graffiti artist known for combining bold street expression with historical storytelling.
Inspired by a painting by the respected artist Ras Mosera (Axum Art Café), Rusty’s sculpture portrays a proud modern-day woman made from layered echoes of metal. She gazes confidently toward the future, while the mirror behind her—shaped like the African continent—reveals her ancestral past.
Though the visible scars of slavery such as chains and whiplashes have faded, her roots are echoed through the Sankofa bird, subtly embedded at the back of her head.
The Ghanaian Sankofa bird, a key Adinkra symbol, represents the wisdom in reflecting on the past to build a better future. As the Twi proverb says, “Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi”—“It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.” The egg it carries symbolizes rebirth and knowledge brought forward.
