Slavery Memorial Year
The history of slavery is a painful and important part of our shared history that, until recently, has received too little attention. Slavery Memorial Year, from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, highlights that history throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Slavery abolished 150 years ago
On 1 July 1863, slavery was abolished by law in Suriname and the Caribbean islands, which at that time were colonies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Many enslaved people were forced to continue working on the plantations for another 10 years under state supervision to limit the ‘loss caused by this measure’ to the plantation owners. So, for many people in the Kingdom, slavery did not actually end until 1 July 1873. That was 150 years ago on 1 July 2023.
From 1858 until long after 1873, people from Asia were also forced to perform hard labour in Suriname under Dutch colonial rule.
Throughout the Memorial Year the Kingdom will reflect on this painful history and how it continues to play a role in the lives of people today.
Memorial Year: grants for activities
Anyone in the Kingdom who would like to organise an activity during the Memorial Year can apply for a grant. Grant applications are considered by the Cultural Participation Fund assessment committee. This committee is knowledgeable about the history of slavery and the communities affected.
The grant scheme focuses on initiatives for activities in which participants are actively involved. The activities should also:
- draw attention to aspects of history and slavery;
- create educational material;
- promote healing processes; or
- establish partnerships among institutions, nationally and internationally.
The Mondriaan Fund has funded a number of initiatives.
And the Cultural Participation Fund has approved a number of grant applications.
Start of the Memorial Year
Slavery Memorial Year began on Saturday 1 July 2023, Slavery Remembrance Day. The National Institute for the Study of Dutch Slavery and its Legacy (Nationaal Instituut Nederlands Slavernijverleden en Erfenis, NiNsee) organised the ceremony marking this day. In his speech at the ceremony, King Willem-Alexander apologised for the Netherlands’ role in the history of slavery.
Commemorations, celebrations and other initiatives
Activities and events will take place throughout the Kingdom during Slavery Memorial Year. The aim of this commemorative year is to focus attention on and raise awareness of the history of slavery.
An overview of activities is available on the NiNsee website.
Municipalities focus on history of slavery
Many municipalities are focusing attention on the history of slavery. More information can be found on their websites: