WILLEMSTAD – The Slavery Remembrance Committee and Stichting NAAM have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening research, preservation and public access to Caribbean cultural heritage and the history of slavery across the six Dutch Caribbean islands.
The agreement, signed last Friday, will remain in effect through 2029 and establishes a framework for long-term cooperation between the two organizations.
The partnership will focus on documenting historical knowledge, preserving cultural collections and making research materials more accessible to the public, educational institutions and future generations.
Four major projects have been identified as priorities, including a comprehensive inventory of historical research, a special tribute to Curaçaoan cultural figure Elis Juliana, the development of a digital knowledge platform and the preservation of historical audio recordings.
Mapping Historical Research Across Six Islands
The first project involves compiling an overview of existing research and publications concerning Caribbean heritage and the history of slavery across Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten.
The initiative is intended to establish what historical knowledge is already available and identify subjects, experiences and perspectives that have received insufficient attention.
By bringing together existing publications and research, the organizations hope to create a clearer picture of the historical work already undertaken throughout the Dutch Caribbean.
The inventory could also help researchers identify gaps in historical documentation and determine which subjects require further investigation.
An important objective is to ensure that the history of slavery and its lasting influence on Caribbean societies can be studied through a broader range of sources and perspectives.
Elis Juliana to Be Honored in 2027
A second major initiative will focus on the life and legacy of Elis Juliana, the Curaçaoan poet, author, artist and researcher who made significant contributions to the preservation and understanding of Afro-Caribbean culture.
Throughout 2027, the two organizations will organize activities highlighting Juliana's cultural and intellectual achievements.
The program will include educational materials, publications and a traveling exhibition that will be presented at locations throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The initiative is intended to introduce Juliana's work to new audiences while recognizing his contribution to the documentation and appreciation of Caribbean cultural traditions.
His legacy extends beyond literature and visual arts to the preservation of oral history, music and the experiences of earlier generations.
The planned exhibition and educational activities will provide opportunities for students, researchers and the general public to learn more about his work and its continuing significance.
Digital Knowledge Bank to Improve Access
The third project involves establishing a digital knowledge bank containing research, artworks and publications financed by the Slavery Remembrance Committee.
The platform is intended to make these materials more accessible and provide a central location where information can be consulted.
By bringing together resources that might otherwise remain scattered across different institutions or collections, the digital knowledge bank could support education, academic research and broader public awareness.
The initiative also reflects the growing importance of digital preservation in protecting historical and cultural materials for future generations.
Details about the platform's launch date and public access arrangements have not yet been announced.
Historic Zikinzá Recordings to Receive Special Attention
One of the most significant projects concerns the Zikinzá collection, an archive of approximately 1,400 historical audio recordings.
The collection contains stories and songs recorded by Elis Juliana and Father Paul Brenneker.
These recordings preserve elements of Caribbean oral history, including personal accounts, musical traditions and cultural expressions passed down through generations.
The material provides valuable insight into everyday life, language, customs and the experiences of people whose stories may not have been extensively documented in written historical records.
Under the new agreement, the organizations will launch a pilot project focused on the collection.
The initiative is expected to contribute to efforts to preserve and improve access to this important cultural resource.
The announcement does not specify the technical scope of the pilot or whether all recordings will eventually be made available digitally.
Strengthening Education and Historical Awareness
Lucia Beck-Fox, representing the Slavery Remembrance Committee, and Dimitri Cloose of Stichting NAAM emphasized the importance of combining their organizations' expertise and resources.
According to both representatives, the partnership is intended to make a lasting contribution to historical research, education and public awareness of local history.
The cooperation comes at a time when there is growing attention throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the history of slavery, its legacy and the importance of preserving Caribbean perspectives.
By focusing on research, cultural preservation and accessibility, the two organizations aim to ensure that historical knowledge is not only protected but also shared with wider audiences.
The agreement through 2029 provides a multiyear framework for these initiatives, with the preservation of Caribbean heritage and the recognition of historically underrepresented stories at the center of the partnership.
For Curaçao and the other five Dutch Caribbean islands, the projects offer an opportunity to strengthen the documentation of their shared history while preserving the distinctive cultural experiences of each island.