Cultural cooperation Sri Lanka-Netherlands 2021-2024

Regarding cooperation with Sri Lanka in the last policy period of 2017-2020, the Dutch government mainly focused on (supporting) activities related to heritage and archives. This focus will be maintained in the current policy period, with contemporary art and dialogue added as focal points.

The Netherlands will continue to form partnerships to help Sri Lanka restore and manage existing heritage infrastructure such as forts, churches and canals. The focus will be on sharing knowledge and expertise and capacity-building in Sri Lanka. In doing so, it is important to take into account the accessibility and economic viability of the heritage and to keep it ‘alive’. Some forts for instance are in use by the army, hampering their accessibility for schoolchildren, students, and local and foreign tourists. Accessibility can also become an issue in a different way. As the Galle fort has been developed and grown to become a hotspot tourist attraction, local inhabitants are struggling to stay there as the growing popularity of the site (gentrification) results in rising costs. Integrating heritage responsibly in broader urban development planning is part and parcel of a sustainable future. Supporting and training professionals in archaeology and urban development will therefore continue.

Another important aspect of heritage is the display of historical artefacts and exhibits in museums. The national museums of Sri Lanka have impressive collections but their display and presentations leave room for improvement. The Dutch embassy will look into the possibilities to link up Dutch and Sri Lankan expertise on how to communicate historical narratives via historical artefacts and the way they are presented, and to make active learning (edutainment) part of the experience of visiting these museums.

Preserving the old VOC documents in the National Archive of Colombo is hugely challenging and important. The accessibility of Dutch historical records also requires further attention in the years to come. Permanent coordination between the two National Archives will be a key part of the work. The Dutch embassy will encourage people to do research using the archives. More attention for the Dutch period can and will trigger more debate. One example is the research performed by Leiden University called ‘Colonialism Inside Out’. The embassy aims to facilitate this open dialogue about the past and what can be learned from it today. In this light, developments regarding the return of colonial objects and art are also relevant and interesting.

The current policy aims to support Sri Lankan initiatives in contemporary visual and performing arts and design and to increase the visibility of Dutch art/design in these areas. Painting, photography, dance, music, literature, theatre and film all have traditional roots while developing into modern and contemporary art forms. They play their role in society, both socially and politically, as many arts are used in Sri Lanka to express political viewpoints.  

Within this broad range of possibilities, the following considerations will be leading for support and cooperation. Firstly, the possibility to actively contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of which quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production, peace, justice and strong institutions have the highest priority. Secondly, the possibility to link heritage to contemporary art/culture, and thirdly, the opportunity to link Dutch art to Sri Lankan art. As the Dutch international cultural policy framework suggests, this will be done through partnerships and exchange and by boosting the visibility of Dutch culture.

Would you like to receive more information regarding opportunities for cultural exchange with Sri Lanka? Feel free to contact our Focal Countries advisors. We can inform you about the latest developments in the country, relevant contacts and cultural venues.  
 

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