The Centre of Dutch and Flemish Studies at the University of Sheffield is proud to welcome two visionary artists whose work is reshaping the dialogue between Suriname, the Netherlands, and the global postcolonial landscape: author Raoul de Jong and filmmaker Ida Does. For these two events we collaborate with Modern Culture and the Sheffield bookshop La Biblioteka.
Book Launch: Jaguarman
At the heart of this visit is the highly anticipated launch of the English translation of Raoul de Jong’s seminal novel, Jaguarman.
Jaguarman is far more than a memoir; it is a direct challenge to nationally framed colonial narratives. By weaving together historical fact with inherited rituals, poetry, and ancestral stories, De Jong crafts an alternative history of Suriname that recovers what traditional archives often ignore.
Public Conversation
Joining De Jong is Ida Does, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and producer renowned for her focus on social justice and Caribbean voices. Together, they will explore the synergies in their work, continuing to push the boundaries of how we understand history, heritage, and the transformative power of underrepresented voices.
Event details
5 May 2026, La Biblioteka
Leah's Yard
6.00 pm
Join us for the UK premiere of Raoul de Jong autobiographical novel-cum-history of Suriname Jaguarman in Sheffield’s leading independent bookshop. Raoul will be in conversation with Dr Henriette Louwerse, read from his novel, and answer your questions. For this informal event you can grab a drink from a one of the retailers in Leah's Yard. Non alcoholic refreshments provided. The evening is organised in collaboration with modernculture.co.uk
6 May 2026, University of Sheffield
Diamond Lecture Theatre 8
4.00 pm
A multimedia journey with Dutch-Surinamese author Raoul de Jong as he presents Jaguarman and joins filmmaker Ida Does for an exclusive conversation. You will get the opportunity to buy a copy of Jaguarman. In collaboration with La Biblioteka.