National Celebration Day of the Maroons 2025

• Date: 10 October
• Time: 17:00 - 00:30
• Location: Koninklijke Schouwburg

On Friday 10 October, the National Celebration of the Day of the Maroons will take place in the Koninklijke Schouwburg. Around the world, Maroon communities from Suriname and French Guiana celebrate the struggle of their ancestors against oppression and for freedom.

In the Netherlands and Belgium, this annual celebration takes place at our venue, the Koninklijke Schouwburg. A special element of the day is that the leaders of all Maroon tribes come together here for the Kuutu (people’s assembly).

This year, Stichting Wi Mato by Jose Tojo presents the music theatre performance Manenge. A performance about how traditional roles are changing and how old traditions clash with new realities. Where inheritance once passed through the female line and the whole village raised the children, those relationships are very different in the Maroon diaspora of today. A day ticket for the Day of the Maroons includes access to this performance.

Other highlights include the pre-premiere of the documentary Monikondee (in collaboration with IDFA), the talk show Radio Koyeba, and of course the pangi fashion show. The day begins with a libation ritual and concludes with an afterparty featuring the indigenous Kawina band Yakua.

Public Programme – Day of the Maroons 2025
16:45 Wojo (market with stalls offering Maroon products)
17:15 Libation ritual with traditional leaders and Peace Lecture
17:45 Catering available (Meeke Catering)
18:30 IDFA preview Monikondee (103 minutes)
20:15 Radio Koyeba talk show
20:45 Pangi fashion show
21:45 Theatre performance Manenge
23:15 Afterparty with Kawina band Yakua

(programme subject to change)

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