Include the history of Moluccans and the Netherlands in the history books used in Dutch schools. Antis Marijanan and Augustine Tuparia are committed to this. “It’s a joint and painful history.”
A lot of steps have already been taken to bring the story of Moluccans to the Netherlands to the attention, but there is still much to be gained in education, the men say in the Radio Drenthe program Cassata.
“A close collaboration has been built up with the Drents Archief, the Drents Museum and Remembrance Center Camp Westerbork,” says Tuparia. “We are proud that we have achieved that. It is important that together you form an alliance to knock on the door even harder in The Hague and to bring about change in education.”
Because that is the mission of Tuparia and Marijanan. In the Dutch history books, attention must be paid to the entire Dutch-Moluccan story: the arrival of the first VOC ships on the Moluccas, the colonial period, the arrival of Moluccans to the Netherlands and the actions of the RMS. “An extensive knowledge base was set up for that,” says Marijanan, referring to the knowledge base Moluccan footsteps. This involves more than just history. “It is also about the Moluccan language, culture and all aspects of Moluccan society. They are now bringing it to Drenthe, and we want to act as ambassadors.”
Moluccan footsteps Develops teaching packages for both primary and secondary education, at different levels and for various subjects. During guest lessons, Tuparia notices how great the ignorance is. “Then Brammetje from group 8 asks:” Why did you kill innocent Dutch people? ” That is apparently the only thing that has stuck with the Dutch population.
With guest lessons, projects and excursions to Former Camp Schattenberg (after the Second World War the new name of Camp Westerbork when it was set up as a residential place for Moluccans), the shared history is being tried to bring the shared history to the attention of students. “The mouths of people fall open during tours.” This has to be done in the history books, “I hear,” says Tuparia. “The Dutch also think so.”
Yet the teaching packages think of Moluccan footsteps Only their way to the Drenthe education. “The interest is moderate, that is all the more reason to commit us to this,” says Tuparia. “It is disappointing that there is such a great unfamiliarity.”
That is why there will be an inspiration afternoon in the Drents Museum next Saturday, where the educational field can be informed about the teaching packages. Children, parents and grandparents are also welcome for theater, lectures and presentations. Everything is aimed at bringing the Moluccan story to the attention. “We take on the challenge,” it sounds militant from Tuparia’s mouth.