Marron Day celebrations held in Suriname and the Netherlands

Suriname and its diaspora celebrated Marron Day on October 10, marking the anniversary of the 1760 peace treaty between Maroons and the Dutch colonial government.

In Suriname, President Jennifer Simons called for national unity and solidarity during ceremonies at the Plein van 10 oktober 1760. She emphasized the importance of teaching children about their ancestral history prior to slavery and noted that the government is working with traditional authorities to establish administrative structures and demarcations, a process expected to conclude largely by 2027.

Cultural celebrations included a Marron Film Week, which concluded with the screening of ‘Fort Buku’ by Loëlle Monsanto and Giorgio de la Fuente. The film week served as an educational platform to strengthen connections to Maroon history and identity.

In the Netherlands, the Surinamese community in Tilburg also held commemorations at the De Back community center, featuring lectures on Maroon history and cultural performances to honor the heritage of descendants who migrated to the country.