Black excellence on stage during the opening of the 2021 edition of Black Achievement Month at the International Theatre Amsterdam. At right, artistic leader John Leerdam. (Photo by Jean van Lingen)
AMSTERDAM--The annual Black Achievement Month (BAM) was opened in style in Amsterdam on Friday evening, showcasing black talent with gracious ballet, confrontational spoken word, energetic dance, inspirational rap songs and exciting gospel.
Several hundred guests gathered at International Theatre Amsterdam (ITA) for the official opening of the sixth edition of BAM, in anticipation of being bedazzled by the
1.5-hour-programme, which as always was put together by BAM’s artistic leader John Leerdam.
Ballerina Sebia Plantefève-Castryck enchanted the guests at the official opening of Black Achievement Month as she danced to Ave Maria sung by Walter E. Muringen. Story on page . Photo by Jean van Lingen.
Leerdam used the novelle “Between the World and Me” by much-praised American writer Ta Nehisi Coates as inspiration to create a whirling musical programme that did not bore one second, and had the guests clapping, singing and dancing along. It was an eloquent taste of what is to come during the whole October month that BAM is celebrated.
On stage Friday were spoken word artist Liza Ma Neza, who paid tribute to her forefathers in Rwanda, Suriname-Dutch rapper/singer Glen Faria, who performed with his son Jaïr, Ethiopia-born ballerina Sebia Plantefève-Castryck, who danced to Ave Maria sung by Walter E. Muringen, the Zo! Gospel Choir that presented three songs and Curaçao-born dancer Junadry Leocaria.
Former TV news reader/journalist Noraly Beyer and BAM Chairperson Jurenne Hooi, both born in Curaçao, opened the evening. Both mentioned how joyous the occasion was of BAM celebrating its sixth edition. “The first year, some people reacted a bit warily to the plans to organise an event to showcase black talent. But a lot has changed in six years. Talent is seen and rewarded, not only in sports, but also in arts, culture and science. I want to believe that BAM has contributed to this,” Beyer said.
For the first five years, BAM was held under the auspices of Netherlands Institute for the Slavery Past and its Heritage NiNsee. BAM is now an independent foundation with a board chaired by Hooi, and earlier by Jorien Wuite from St. Maarten, who stepped down when she was elected to the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament in March this year.
Amsterdam Alderman Rutger Groot Wassink in his short address on Friday gave recognition to BAM, a venture that Amsterdam has financially supported since its inception. A formal apology for the Dutch slavery past is an important step, and necessary to continue together as a people, as a city. He said that events such as BAM contributed to the process of seeking justice and equality.
BAM has grown quite a lot in size in its six years of existence. From about 20 events in three cities, Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam, six years ago, BAM expanded to almost 60 events in 10 cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Almere, Leiden, The Hague, Middelburg, Vlissingen, Berg en Dal and Zaandam. Events range from theatre plays, dance performances, concerts and film presentations to debates, lectures, exhibitions and symposiums.
Hooi said it was with pride that the foundation and its board presented this year’s event, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. She said the organisation planned to expand, with the ambition to go international. “That is going to succeed if I see what has been achieved this year,” said Hooi, who put Leerdam in the spotlight for his relentless dedication to BAM, and in general to culture.
“What started as an idea to put black excellence in the spotlight has grown into a concept,” said John Leerdam. This year’s theme is “Connected generations”. “We are standing on the shoulders of earlier generations. We give credit to earlier generations on whose legacy we continue to build. We are not just individuals and don’t only live in the here and now. We come from far and hand over the stick to the future generation,” said Leerdam.
BAM will be closed off on November 1 with the presentation of the Black Achievement Awards in DeLaMar Theatre in Amsterdam. Actress Gerda Havertong, who originates from Suriname, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
