18 April up until 28 June

Traces of our history of slavery

Kwatta and Indorock

In the run-up to Ketikoti (1 July), various locations across the city will be highlighting traces of the history of slavery. Follow these traces and discover how closely this history is linked to Breda and North Brabant. See the programme of activities and places of interest below!

Kwatta and Indorock

In the museum, you can discover stories about the famous Kwatta chocolate factory in the exhibition Ambition & Desire and watch the documentary Sounds of Origin about the Dutch East Indies’ influence on pop music. The gold-coloured Kwatta chocolate tin in the collection tells a multi-layered story of colonial history and cultural connections. The tin illustrates the intertwined history of the Netherlands with both Suriname and Indonesia, two former colonies whose history continues to shape contemporary culture.

Stedelijk Museum Breda | Boschstraat 22

Tue – Fri: 11am – 5pm | Sat & Sun: 10am – 5pm

You can see fragments of the documentary every Saturday and Sunday for free from the 26th of April up until 28th of June. With the exception of 2, 3 and 23 May.

Diaspora Community Festival

At the Diaspora Community Festival, you’ll discover, alongside people from various communities in Breda, how traditions come together and how our Dutch colonial and slavery history continues to shape the present. Enjoy an afternoon filled with culture, music, food, stories and new encounters.

Grote Kerk Breda | Kerkplein 2

Sat 9 May: 12 noon – 5 pm

Threads of our Dutch history of slavery | Anna and Laloupe

The Grote Kerk Breda is exhibiting the 35-metre-long tapestry ‘Traces of North Brabant’s Slavery Past’, explaining the creative process and sharing stories about the province’s history of slavery. You will also discover the personal stories of Anna and Laloupe; two former enslaved people who were set free through their baptism in the Grote Kerk Breda.

Grote Kerk Breda | Kerkplein 2

Mon – Sat: 10am – 5pm | Sun: 1pm – 5pm. Check the website for any changes to opening hours.

The creative process in pictures

Last year, 80 volunteers worked on part of the Brabant tapestry at the Nieuwe Veste. Activities included quilting, embroidery, punching and tufting, combined with sharing knowledge and stories about the past and present.

Nieuwe Veste | Molenstraat 6

Mon – Fri: 8.30 am – 10 pm | Sat: 9 am – 5 pm

Talent in the spotlight: Lindsey Soetodrono

BredaPhoto talent Lindsey Soetodrono explores her Javanese-Surinamese family history and the consequences of intergenerational trauma in Putune Jaji: Odjo Lali Aku (Grandchildren of Fellow Sufferers: Don’t Forget Me). In this work, she confronts the viewer with the history of Javanese-Surinamese indentured labour.

BredaPhoto at Breda Belcrum-side of the station

Until 10 May: open 24/7

Share your story

The city archives could do with a refresh, as not everyone yet recognises themselves in the collections. Research is currently being carried out into Breda’s history of slavery. Do your roots lie in another country and would you like to share your story, photos or archive material with the city archives? Then drop by or email info@stadsarchiefbreda.nl.

Breda City Archives & Archaeology | Parade 10

Tue & Thu: 10am – 2pm | Sat 18 Apr, 16 May, 20 Jun: 10am – 2pm

The Indisch Museum

The Indisch Museum’s motto is ‘Selamanya di dalam hatiku’, which means ‘always in my heart’. Here, the Indisch cultural heritage and the history of the Dutch East Indies are recounted and passed on through artefacts and stories.

Arjati Foundation | Joseph Poelaertstraat 1

Wed – Sat 1 pm – 3.30 pm

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