A new filmed conversation between Dr Henriette Louwerse and acclaimed Dutch author Raoul de Jong offers audiences the opportunity to explore questions of identity, colonial history and cultural inheritance through the lens of De Jong’s celebrated novel, Jaguarman.
Watch the full interview here: Raoul de Jong in conversation with Henriette Louwerse
In the interview, De Jong reflects on the inspirations behind Jaguarman, a work that blends memoir, history, poetry and ancestral storytelling to challenge nationally framed colonial narratives and recover voices and histories often excluded from traditional archives. The discussion explores the complexities of postcolonial identity, Surinamese heritage, and the role of Winti, the traditional Surinamese religion, in shaping memory, belonging and ways of understanding the world.
The conversation also highlights the wider cultural and political significance of storytelling, with De Jong discussing how literature can open up alternative perspectives on history and identity while creating space for underrepresented voices.
The filmed discussion was released alongside a series of events celebrating the launch of the English translation of Jaguarman. During a special event at the University, De Jong read an extract from the newly translated novel before joining Dr Louwerse for a live audience discussion and Q&A.
De Jong also appeared alongside acclaimed filmmaker Ida Does, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and producer known for her focus on social justice and Caribbean voices. Together, they explored the synergies between their work and the transformative power of bringing underrepresented histories and perspectives to wider audiences.