Artists such as Solange Rose will perform iconic songs. Between performances, inspiring stories will be shared, naturally aligning with the theme of the day. Join us in commemorating during an evening filled with music and stories.
Access is free, but reserving a ticket is mandatory. The doors open at 8:30 PM, and the evening's program begins at 9:15 PM.
Solange Rose
Solange Rose is no stranger to Eindhoven; she also sang during the ceremony of the city's first official Keti Koti celebration. Born in Suriname and surrounded by (soul)music from a young age, with family members like Robin Zalm from VOLUMIA and Big John Russell, it's no surprise. Solange has a great passion for conveying raw emotion in music, touching people's hearts, and sharing the love for music. She also provides musical language education to "new Dutch children."
Luke de Cort
Luke (Santiago) de Cort is a Colombian-Dutch singer and songwriter. He was adopted at a young age and moved to Bladel in the Brabant region. Music is his greatest passion, and conveying emotion is his most coveted weapon. His unique background gives him a profound desire to connect with the world around him, which he does through his voice and his words. Luke feels musically like a chameleon, drawing inspiration from all the colors and flavors he encounters in the world.
Helen Meuleman
Helen Meuleman is a passionate social worker who sings in church and writes poems under her stage name "Yaa Pokua's Acoustic Words." Her connection to the history of slavery comes from her roots. Helen originally hails from Ghana, a country impacted by the slave trade. Because of this, Solange Rose has invited her to present a specially written spoken word poem during this memorial service, emphasizing the importance of cultural awareness.
About Keti Koti/Kadena Kibra
Every year on June 30th, the history of slavery is commemorated. The next day, on July 1st, the abolition of slavery in 1863 is celebrated. In practice, however, enslaved people continued to work on plantations for another ten years, so for many, 1873 marks the definitive end of slavery. The term "Keti Koti" (Sranantongo) or "Kadena Kibra" (Papiamento) means "Broken Chains." These days include both memorial ceremonies and festive activities, featuring music, dance, and traditional dishes. Keti Koti emphasizes the importance of awareness, reconciliation, and celebrating cultural diversity, while honoring the ancestors who suffered under slavery.
