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All together: commemorating the abolition of slavery and celebrating freedom

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The atrium at the Netherlands Police Academy filled with visitors and police officers for the celebration of Ketikoti

‘Commemorating and celebrating are not merely rituals, and not merely the preserve of a small group. This is something that touches all of us, that paves our way towards new and true unity.’ With these words, Erie Braakhekke, Sector Head of Higher Police Education (HPO) opened Ketikoti Kadena Kibra, the commemoration and celebration of the abolition of slavery, at the Netherlands Police Academy’s Apeldoorn campus.

‘There is a place for everyone in this event’, Erie explains. Initially she was doubtful when she was asked to open the event. Did she, with her background, really have a place here? But when she discussed it with the people around her, she came to realize that the important thing is to create space for one another: space to share stories and acknowledge traumas – even if they may be painful or uncomfortable. ‘Precisely involving everyone helps eliminate segregation at whatever level’, Erie elaborates.

A police officer and a speaker on a podium

‘There must be space for us to learn’

This discomfort was also a topic at the panel discussion that formed part of the commemoration. ‘When we talk about such things, there must also be space for people to say the wrong things. You are not to blame for what your forefathers did. But neither are we as descendants directly the victims of what our forefathers did. Even if we do continue to experience the effects. The main thing is for there to be space – there must be space for us all to learn’, added Cindy de Koning, who led the discussion.

A music band comes walking and plays

‘Keep the conversation alive’

The participants in the panel discussion stressed that reflecting on this history is vitally important for teaching. So one important message that came out of the discussion was ‘keep the conversation alive’.

To bring the commemoration to a fitting conclusion, the last item on the programme was a swinging performance by the GDFL Brass Band – that soon had everyone up dancing!

A group of people and police officers dance to the music of a brass band

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