On June 30, the fourth Transatlantic Slavery Commemoration took place in The Hague, organized by the June 30–July 1 Committee of The Hague. Nearly 500 attendees gathered to reflect on the shared history of slavery in the Netherlands, Africa, and the Americas.

An ensemble from the Residentie Orkest the music as part of Symphony 2030. Together with musicians from Curaçao and Suriname, they performed pieces including selections from the Keti Koti Suite, “Gengere,” “Gron Mama,” and “Hymn to Freedom.”

Following speeches, two minutes of silence, and the flag ceremony, the gathering concluded with the lively Kaseko: a musical celebration of remembrance, strength, and connection.

About the music
The Keti Koti Suite was composedby Gaddum & Douglas and performed together with Curaçaoan and Surinamese percussionists Roël Callister and Giovanni Essed. The piece was commissioned by NiNsee in 2025 and previously performed by the Marine Band during the national Keti Koti commemoration in Amsterdam.

The work song “Gengere” was performed by Roël and singer Soug-Ling Wong, and the spiritual “Gron Mama” by Giovanni and singer Sarah-Jane Wijdenbosch. “Hymn to Freedom” is by Oscar Peterson, in a new arrangement by Marijn van Prooijen.