Dekoloniale Herdenking 16 augustus 2023
Three members of Gong Tirta contributed three compositions by Renadi during the opening and the ending of the third edition of the Dekoloniale Herdenking (Decolonial Commemoration), held at the site of the notorious Monument Indië-Nederland in Amsterdam. The Dekoloniale Herdenking is still a young event, organised by Benjamin Caton. It strives to be an inclusive, non-colonial commemoration, and to give voice to stories, experiences and narratives, especially those who have no platform at other commemorations. This year for the first time the mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, graced the Dekoloniale Herdenking with her presence and a fitting speech, thereby deliberately choosing not to be present at the 15 Augustus herdenking at Dam square the day before, where Palmyra Westerling was invited to plead for reinstalling the honour of her father Raymond Westerling. Other speakers include Julia Jouwe, Marion Bloem and Karina Rukmin Binol. The event also included performances by Esther Apituley on alto violin and Robin Block with a poem and a song. Gong Tirta opened with ‘Tales’ and ‘Merdeka Bellz’ and concluded the two minutes silence with ‘Stretch’. For the complete program visit: http://www.16augustus.nl/programma-2023/ Photography: Lara Bella Josafina.
Renadi Santoso
