National Monument Slavery History

"On a memorable July 1 in the year 2002, in the presence of then Queen Beatrix, the National Monument to Slavery Past was solemnly inaugurated. This significant date commemorates the historic moment when the Netherlands, as one of the last countries in Europe, officially abolished slavery in 1863. Located in the picturesque Oosterpark, the monument carries rich symbolism and serves as a powerful symbol of reflection and remembrance.


The monument itself is a masterpiece of bronze designed by renowned Surinamese artist Erwin de Vries. His vision for this monument reflects a deep understanding of the past, present and future of slavery. De Vries said, ""The brief was to deal with the past of slavery and the present and future. Of the past I made a chained slave group, of the present a slave being freed and the big thing is the future: freedom in the belief that one day we will be completely free from discrimination."


Nevertheless, the National Slavery History Monument has had its share of controversies and challenges. There were protests because of its initially less prominent location in Oosterpark. The opening itself was riddled with drama as security measures allowed only a limited group of invited guests, leading to frustration among descendants of enslaved people who found themselves behind fences. In subsequent years, there were often heated debates about the right way to commemorate and acknowledge this fraught history. The slavery past has always caused divisions in the Netherlands, with the complexity of the issue continuing to resonate to this day."