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j.backus [at] dutchculture.nl
Suriname
Suriname and the Netherlands
Suriname is one of the greenest countries in the world, with an extraordinary level of biodiversity: 93% of the country is covered by forest. For a sparsely populated country with just over 600,000 inhabitants, its cultural diversity is also impressive. The population includes Indigenous peoples as well as people of African, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese, Jewish, and Lebanese descent. The majority of the population lives in Paramaribo, the capital city, whose historic centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Suriname and the Netherlands are linked by more than 300 years of (post)colonial history. This history has made the relationship between the two countries complex and multifaceted. Since gaining independence in 1975, many Surinamese people have migrated to the Netherlands, leading to an active Surinamese diaspora in the country and ongoing cultural exchange. Dutch as a shared language, as well as familiarity with Dutch culture among Surinamese people facilitates cultural exchanges.
Themes and opportunities
A key focus of the collaboration with Suriname is contributing to raising awareness about the significance of preserving cultural (intangible) heritage, particularly in relation to the history of slavery and colonialism. Another key focus is promoting cooperation between Dutch and Surinamese artists and cultural organisations, based on equality and reciprocity - preferably also strengthening the cultural and heritage sector in Suriname. In particular, there are opportunities for collaboration between Suriname and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Read more…
Information & advice
Would you like to receive more information regarding opportunities for cultural exchange with Suriname? Feel free to contact our advisor Josine Backus with your questions.
Further reading
Advisor
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Year:
Suriname at a glance
47 registered activities in 2024
featuring 25 artists
featuring 25 artists
Number of activities
12 months (2024)
12 months (2024)
Activities by
discipline in 2024
discipline in 2024
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Frequently asked questions
- Where can I find funding within the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, there are various funding opportunities available for artists, cultural practitioners and organisations with international ambitions. You can find a first overview on our Funding Support page. For a more extensive overview, see our Cultural Mobility Funding Guide.
Heritage
International Heritage Cooperation is part of the Netherlands’ international cultural policy. The embassies of the Netherlands in the partner countries have a budget for supporting local cultural heritage projects. DutchCulture manages a Matching Fund. Dutch legal entities (companies and registered freelancers) are able to apply for partial funding for an international heritage cooperation project.
- Where can I find funding within Suriname?
The funding possibilities within Surinam are limited. However, the Dutch embassy in Suriname has some budget available for cultural makers.
- What rules and regulations do I have to consider (visa, social security, taxation)?
Visa
To enter Suriname you need an E-visa. You can only purchase the E-visa online via the Surinamese consulate. Visit this website for all the topical information about visa applications.
Social security
The website of the Dutch Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) offers a lot of information on social security when working internationally, with specific information for artists. The information is available in five languages.
Taxation
The Netherlands has tax treaties with a number of countries. In many cases this means that the taxes you pay in one of the countries are deductible from the taxes you owe in another country, or that you are exempt from paying certain taxes. Here you can find an overview of the countries with which the Netherlands has a treaty.
- How can I promote my work in Suriname?
It is a good idea to engage local publicists, that have an understanding of your art discipline, audience and region. The cultural department of the Dutch Embassy in Paramaribo can help you find network or decide to promote your work through their channels.
Make sure to contact the embassy to let them know about your projects. Do not forget to create a My DC account, where you can add your activities to our Cultural Database. This way you will be included in our database and become part of our network.
- How can I find a residency, stage to perform, exhibition space?
Through the DutchCulture database, you can find out which artists from the Netherlands have worked at which venues, and start your research there. Go to the search icon on the upper left corner of the website, and search by discipline, country, and city.
For residencies, DutchCulture's TransArtists is a great research tool. In order to successfully build an international career, and in order to find sustainable partners in a country, it is always wise to spend more than a few days somewhere. Residencies, which can last from a couple of weeks up to several months, can help you achieve this.
- Are there specific things to keep in mind when it comes to safety in Suriname?
For the most recent travel advice to Suriname, please see the website of the Dutch government (in Dutch).
