AMERSFOORT / 19 May 2025
The purpose of the exchange was a feedback of recent developments and initiatives, and an open dialogue about how you can take these developments into account in your work or in contacts: what does the cultural heritage of the slavery and colonial past mean for you as a person, how do you involve a society in this heritage and what can your input be in this?
The conversation began with three short presentations on:
- The recognition of the historical importance of two Afrikan cemeteries on St. Eustatius by being awarded the UNESCO label ‘Routes of Enslaved Peoples‘. Tim de Haan of UNESCO Dutch told us more about this.
- The Faro project ‘Involving heritage community in endangered heritage slavery past St. Eustatius’ which was recently implemented and focused on awareness and stewardship among the people of St. Eustatius. Kenneth Cuvalay of the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance gave an update on this.
- The Faro project ‘Proteha mi’ on Bonaire where archaeological sites are being located and mapped together with residents and appropriate management measures are being considered with them and the island government. Daudi Cijntje of Archol presented this.
The first two projects were initiated by the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance. Active since 2021, this grassroots movement calls attention to protecting endangered Afrikan heritage on the island and involving the population as a heritage community in the process. The third project is an initiative of BONAI, Universteit Leiden and Archol.
Thank you
We would like to thank all heritage experts that were willing to take the time and effort to be present that day, whether in person in Amersfoort or online, and provided us with valuable feedback and questions. We’re looking forward to doing a follow-up in the future!
Heritage experts that participated (pdf file)