Our second AHRC networking event took place in Paramaribo, Suriname, from November 6–14, 2025. This intensive nine-day trip centered around an academic conference, personal meetings and historical field research.
The CARAN Conference: Knowledge Exchange
Dates: November 11–13, 2025 Location: Anton de Kom University, Paramaribo
We are profoundly grateful to the organizers of the CARAN Conference—Hilde Neus, Usha Balesar and Eric Mijts—for their hospitality. The conference generously offered us a crucial platform to present our project to experts, form new contacts, and gather fresh research ideas and materials.
The packed three-day schedule featured extensive and fascinating discussions on the unique multilingual conditions in Suriname, where Dutch serves as the official language. Our presentation, titled “Het nationale verhaal voorbij” (Beyond the National Narrative), specifically focused on the multilingual traditions of Surinamese literature and its contemporary linguistic challenges. Discussing the many facets of Surinamese narratives was highly illuminating, and we look forward to exploring future collaborations with our new (and established) contacts at the Anton de Kom University.
Historical Field Research: Plantations
After an initial exploration of the stunning Surinamese rainforest, we extended our research trip with visits to two significant historical sites:
Plantation Frederiksdorp
We traveled to Frederiksdorp by road and river, mooring as visitors have seemingly done for centuries. This former coffee plantation was founded in 1747 by Johan Friedrich Knöffel. Today, a consortium led by Sirano Zalma has transformed the plantation and village into a tourist resort and historical site, which openly explores its slavery past alongside the lives of its current inhabitants.
Duco van Oostrum reflects: “It was an odd feeling walking in this mix of old and new plantation buildings. Since the Knöffel family were historically connected to Joachim Nettelbeck and Stedman’s prints, it felt eerie to visit the place of my recent research.”
Two inspirational staff members, Altaf Gasieta and Sheyend Rampersad, led the historical tours, sharing valuable insights, knowledge, and documents, including information on the Boni tour (also a topic in Tessa Leuwsha’s recent book). Frederiksdorp also houses the impressive Rita Maasdamma Slavery Diorama, an intriguing display that uses images and text to explore life under slavery, which was highly relevant to our work on contemporary narratives.
Plantation 'Bakkie'
Following strong recommendations, Van Oostrum also visited Plantation Bakkie, once again traveling the "Suriname way"—by road and river. This former coffee plantation, founded in 1744 by Nicolaas Reynsdorp, has been repurposed as a museum by owners Bas Spek and Marsha Mormon.
The museum’s collection is remarkable, highlighting the plantation's slavery past through objects, prints, and unique original documents that were truly overwhelming. The display features:
- First editions of Stedman’s narrative
- Benoit prints
- Extremely rare Maria Sybilla Merian flora and fauna prints
- Real finds from the plantations, such as an old African flintlock, chains, and other objects denoting Bakkie’s history
Bakkie's history is vast, ranging from the discovery of another plantation site (currently subject to archaeological digs) to a WWII crashed aircraft carrying American peace negotiators. It offered a profound look into the framing of historical narratives in a deeply meaningful place.
National Radio Interview
Date: November 14, 2025 Station: Radio ABC
Before we said our goodbyes after the eye-opening whirlwind trip, we were interviewed by ABC journalist Biemla Gajadien. During the conversation for this national radio station, we emphasized the historical interconnections of Suriname, which are often obscured by a powerful orientation toward the former colonizer.
Next Stop: Amsterdam
Our next planned event is scheduled for May 2026 in Amsterdam.
A special thanks to Brigitta van Kanten for her support, insights, photos and, above all, company.