FORUM: Free Heri Heri

No reservation is needed, we will be distributing meals from 4:30 – 6:30 pm.

On 1 July 2022, Kunstinstituut Melly, HipHopHuis, and Theater Rotterdam join forces to celebrate Emancipation Day. Also called Ketikoti, “breaking chains”, in Suriname, Emancipation Day marks the abolishment of slavery in the Dutch Kingdom that occurred on 1 July 1863. We invite you to participate as we collectively distribute 750 free Heri Heri meals in collaboration with @freeheriheriforall.

Consisting of cassava, plantains, sweet potatoes, fish, and eggs, Heri Heri was a dish cooked by many enslaved people on plantations around the world during the transatlantic slave trade. To commemorate the abolishment of slavery and to honor their ancestors, Free Heri Heri for All was established by Arya and Ira Kip to bring awareness to this historic day and to foster connections over a shared meal. By eating Heri Heri and understanding the history of slavery in the Netherlands, the past is not forgotten and the promise of a more just future is possible.

We are very happy to be welcoming former councilor Peggy Wijntuin to this event who will eat, as well as share some words with us between 4:30 – 5:30 pm. At 6 pm guitarist, Tayler Calister and singer Ilaisa Ghisaidoobe will perform together in MELLY Bookshop and Café. Tayler on the guitar and Ilaisa will singKunstinstituut Melly will be distributing meals from 4:30 – 6:30 pm.

Stay tuned for more program updates with guest speakers, DJs, and more. We hope you can join us on this day of remembrance and celebration.