In a vibrant celebration of cultural heritage, the Beeldkracht arts education initiative has brought renewed focus to the significance of artistic development within Suriname’s Brokopondo district. Spearheaded by the Nola Brokopondo Foundation, the project resumed activities Monday at the Nucleus Center of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, receiving enthusiastic endorsement from the Directorate of Culture.
The program attracted hundreds of students and teachers from vocational schools across the district, who arrived by bus to engage with visual arts and photography. Participants admired the intricate woodcarvings of visual artist David Linga while photographer Roy Tjin demonstrated techniques for capturing artwork effectively using basic mobile phone cameras.
The opening ceremony featured students from Frans Pryor School in Tapoeripa, who welcomed cultural representatives with a traditional Saramaccan song followed by a musical tribute to the Surinamese flag. The performance highlighted the symbolic meaning of the flag’s colors and star as emblems of national identity.
Samuel Wens, chairman of the Nola Brokopondo Foundation, honored the legacy of Dutch artist Nola Hatterman, who played a pivotal role in developing Suriname’s art education system from 1954 until her final years in Brokopondo. Hatterman taught drawing to local children and organized exhibitions from her Mamamdamweg studio. The Beeldkracht project forms part of Suriname’s 50th independence anniversary commemorations and advances plans to restore Hatterman’s former residence as a district arts center.
Clifton Braam, deputy director of the Directorate of Culture, praised the initiative while acknowledging the challenges facing arts education in schools. He emphasized that creativity remains understimulated despite art’s essential role in youth development, celebrating both the restoration plans and the students’ flag song as exemplary methods for instilling national values.
Workshops commencing Tuesday featured Linga’s mahogany sculptures displayed throughout the center’s park, with the artist explaining their symbolism connected to Suriname’s history of slavery and freedom struggles. Tjin provided practical photography guidance focusing on lighting, composition, and background techniques.
Students responded with visible emotion to the artworks, with 16-year-old Kimora Liberetto noting that arts education diminishes after secondary school’s second year, making the project particularly meaningful. The sculptures evoked recognition of animals, birds, and elements from the students’ local environment.
The program continues through the week with workshops on woodworking, cedar craftsmanship, and art conservation in tropical climates. Over five hundred secondary students will participate in exhibitions and workshops, supported by funding from the Johan Ferrier Fonds.