Vier Keti Koti in Amare

July 2025, article

Every year on July 1st, the abolition of slavery is commemorated. This day is called Keti Koti, which is Surinamese for ‘Broken Chains’. It symbolizes the abolition of slavery on July 1st, 1863 in the former colonies of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles and thus the end of a tragic period in Dutch history.

Amare also takes time to reflect on this moment. On Tuesday, 1 July 2025, the fifth edition of Free Heri Heri For All x The Black Hague Experience will take place. This anniversary event celebrates the rich culture of the Afro-diaspora in The Hague and creates space for reflection on the Dutch history of slavery. The day is dedicated to five years of connection, remembrance, and celebration. We do this not alone, but in collaboration with music venue PAARD in The Hague and KIP Republic.

Programme

Daytime: PAARD / 12:30–17:00 / Free admission
A varied programme including commemoration, presentations, Black-owned businesses, art, music, and children’s activities. The full programme can be found at paard.nl.

Evening: Amare / 19:00–23:00 / Free admission
A Cultural Game Night for young people, featuring Black-owned businesses, diverse music, spoken word, and dance performances focused on connection, solidarity, and celebration.

A day full of meaning

What started as an initiative for connection and awareness has grown into a powerful event that attracts thousands of visitors every year. The event is organized by The Black Hague Experience, represented by over forty local entrepreneurs and key figures from The Hague, in collaboration with PAARD, KIP Republic, and for the first time this year, Amare. The programme focuses on remembrance, education, community and empowerment, in which the history of slavery is commemorated, discussed and creatively shaped. Free Heri Heri For All x The Black Hague Experience invites everyone to take part in a meaningful day filled with music, food, stories, and connection.

Join us for Heri Heri

On July 7, Free Heri Heri meals will be served from 16:00 to 23:30. Heri Heri is a Surinamese dish that originated during the time of slavery. It’s a one-pot meal made with sweet potato, cassava, green and yellow plantain, salted fish, and an egg. The dish is often eaten on Keti Koti to symbolize the abolition of slavery. Come together, taste the rich flavors of Heri Heri and celebrate the power of tradition, culture and connection. Will you join us?

Zoom in

The Black Hague Experience: A Platform for Diversity and Creativity

The Black Hague Experience (TBHE) is a platform dedicated to highlighting the cultural, social, and creative contributions of the Black community in The Hague. The initiative sheds light on both the city’s rich history and the contemporary impact of Black key figures in fields such as art, music, fashion, politics, sports, welfare, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Through art and culture, TBHE challenges stereotypes, amplifies perspectives, and fosters connection between different communities. FHHFA x TBHE is more than just an event, it's a movement, built by and for the Afro-community in The Hague. A space where the shared colonial and slavery past is remembered, cultural richness is celebrated, and forward-looking dialogue is encouraged. With the involvement of over 40 Black-owned businesses, young creatives, grassroots organizations, key figures, and social partners, TBHE builds a bridge between past and present, contributing to collective awareness, pride, and an inclusive future.

Kaseko in Concert

Have you been swept up in the Surinamese spirit and can’t get enough? Then come to Kaseko in Concert on Wednesday, July 2 at Amare, a vibrant journey through the rich musical history of Suriname from the 1950s to today. A 16-piece band of top musicians, in combination with the presentation by renowned Surinamese comedian Clifton Braam, forms a musical spectacle full of humor and irresistible rhythms that will get you dancing. An evening not to be missed!