Many people are out and about in Amsterdam today because of Keti Koti, the party that celebrates the abolition of slavery. This year it is exactly 150 years ago. Slavery was commemorated in the Oosterpark. AT5 was there.
Despite the rain, many people were present in the park. All eyes were on our King Willem-Alexander, because the question was whether he would make excuses for the slavery past.
He did this on behalf of the government, although he also emphasized the apologies ‘to be experienced with heart and soul’. He pointed out that at the time of the slave trade, the governors, the king’s ancestors, took no action to stop it.
In addition to commemoration, also celebration
In addition to commemorating, there is also a celebration at this time. During the free Keti Koti festival on the Museumplein, there will be various performances by Trijntje Oosterhuis, Berget Lewis, Alain Clark and Jeangu Macrooy, among others. The party will continue until 11 p.m. tonight.
Slavery was officially banned in Suriname and the Caribbean in 1863, but because slaves in practice still had to perform forced labor until 1873, July 1, 1873 is seen as the actual end of slavery.