Cultural historian Jennifer Tosch (Black Heritage Tours/Mapping Slavery Netherlands) will invite the audience to look beyond Amsterdam’s picturesque canals and merchant houses to uncover the hidden histories embedded within the cityscape. Drawing on years of research and public history work, she'll explore how wealth generated through colonialism and slavery shaped Amsterdam’s development and institutions, and how traces of exploitation, resistance, and Black presence remain visible today.

This will be followed by a dialogue at the Keti Koti Table: a safe space for a facilitated discussion about our personal experiences and insights linked to this shared colonial and slavery history and its impact on our society and university. After a ritual welcome, we'll enjoy breakfast while a Surinamese choir sings a selection of historical songs about slavery and freedom. Your voice and story matter; together, we can bring about change!

Following the programme, there will be an opportunity to join the Bigi Spikri parade heading towards the Oosterpark for the national commemoration and celebration, which starts at 14:00.