50 Years of Surinamese Independence: Celebrating Cultural Richness

On 25 November 2025, the Republic of Suriname marks its 50th anniversary. On that day in 1975 (Srefidensi Dey), Suriname became independent from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Around this milestone, many cultural events are being organised in both countries. They highlight Suriname's cultural richness and its contribution to culture in the Netherlands, thanks to an active Surinamese diaspora.

Together with other Dutch partners, such as the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Paramaribo, DutchCulture works to strengthen ties with Suriname in the areas of heritage, art and culture. We are delighted to have supported several projects marking 50 years of Suriname's independence through our Matching Fund International Heritage Cooperation. In this article, we highlight a small selection of these and other initiatives. You can find many more inspiring and valuable activities online.

November 25: The Dutch Institute for Sound & Vision (Instituut voor Beeld & Geluid) will celebrate with film screenings, discussions and the book launch of Bigi Yari, offering a rich portrayal of Suriname’s past and present. It is part of De Tijdlijn van Suriname project, a collaboration with the National Archives of Suriname and other partners to bring shared audiovisual heritage to light. The project includes a digital interactive timeline with archival material, a travelling exhibition in Suriname and educational programmes.

December 4: The Surilines project has been leading up to the 50th anniversary of independence over the past few years publishing articles and videos on the topic. Its team has engaged with people in both Suriname and the Netherlands to provide personal perspectives on the relationship that has developed since 1975. As a finale, Surilines organised Tori Oso – Meet & Talk on 1 November in Paramaribo. A similar concluding event, Bondru kon na wan (Ties in the Present), will take place at Pakhuis de Zwijger on 4 December. This project was supported by the DutchCulture Matching Fund International Heritage Cooperation.

November 26–30: The Makandra Film Festival will take place at TBL Cinemas in Paramaribo, an initiative by The Back Lot. The festival is a tribute to Surinamese creativity, identity and collaboration. Each day, two new documentaries will premiere — a special crop from the three-year DocuLab 10 for 50 training programme, established by The Back Lot and funded by the Dutch Film Fund. Eleven debuting documentary filmmakers, guided by local and international coaches, present Suriname in all its diversity.

November 30: Suriname is home to many communities, each with different experiences of the impact of independence. For Suriname’s Hindostani community, 2023 marked 150 years of Hindostani emancipation. This is the focus of the film Naya Daur (New Era), which received support from the Matching Fund International Heritage Cooperation. The musical documentary reflects on the history of the Hindostani community in Suriname, using iconic music to explore themes such as progress, justice and equality. The film will be screened at Filmhuis Alkmaar in the Netherlands as part of the Cinema Suriname film festival.

Switi Sranan: de culturele kracht van Suriname
Language offers an interesting lens through which the development of the relationship between Suriname and the Netherlands can be viewed. The publication Switi Sranan: de culturele kracht van Suriname (the cultural power of Suriname) by de lage landen delves deeper into the ways in which both countries have influenced the Dutch language. With prominent journalists and writers from Suriname at the helm, and contributions from a wide variety of artists, this special edition of the magazine is filled with insightful stories and fascinating connections. This publication was supported by the DutchCulture Matching Fund International Heritage Cooperation.

Onafhankelijk: 50 schrijvers over 50 jaar Srefidensi
Fifty writers, from Suriname or with strong ties to the country, personally reflect on the significance of half a century of independence in 50 schrijvers over 50 jaar Srefidensi (Independence: 50 writers on 50 years of Srefidensi). They share their memories, visions for the future, stories and reflections. Editor Kevin Headley of publishing house Van Oorschot invited them to consider the past, present and future of Suriname.

Starting November 25: Kot Abra by Tori Productions will be performed from 25 November onwards in Suriname (Paramaribo, Moengo). This tragicomedy follows two professors, Esajas and X, who enter the minds of Wilma and Helmond — two people from 1975, just before Suriname’s independence. In two parallel worlds, four characters fight for their independence. The play is a tribute to the country’s independence, exploring themes such as the motherland versus the fatherland, the American Dream, love and freedom.

November 30: A Firi Fu Fri – Suriname 50 Years of Independence will be performed at Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam, featuring the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble, Denise Jannah and Black Harmony. Rhythms, melodies and traditions come together in a musical celebration of freedom and unity. Styles and cultures merge in a fusion of classical sounds and modern rhythms. The concert will be broadcast live on Dutch television by NTR on NPO Klassiek.

Until 1 March 2026: At the Cobra Museum in Amstelveen, Wi Sranan: Surinamese Art in Transition is on display, celebrating 50 years of Surinamese independence. It features 24 artists and one collective, presenting both new and existing works that explore the struggle, transformation and future of freedom. Through fashion, photography, paintings, installations, film and performances, the artists reflect on how past stories live on in today’s imagination and continuously redefine freedom with a forward-looking perspective. Curated by Noukhey Forster.

Until 6 September 2026: At Museon-Omniversum in The Hague, the exhibition Children of Independence: 50 Years of Suriname’s Srefidensi is on view. What does independence look like through the eyes of a child? Shortly after Suriname became independent, children in Suriname expressed their dreams, hopes and expectations through drawings and essays for the children's magazine Samsam. Fifty years later, in 2025, Museon-Omniversum brings these stories back to life and spoke with some of the original contributors, both in Suriname and the Netherlands. These unique video portraits form the heart of the exhibition.

If you want to know more about opportunities for cultural exchange with Suriname, visit our country page Suriname for links, FAQs, infographics and activities. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. You can also visit our Matching Fund International Heritage Cooperation page for more information about this funding scheme supporting cultural heritage projects created through international partnerships.