Surinamese artist Xillan Macrooy delivered a mesmerizing multidisciplinary performance Wednesday evening, officially presenting his literary work ‘Mensen als zonnen en mensen als manen’ to a captivated Surinamese audience at a packed Spice Quest venue. The event marked both the triumphant homecoming of his Netherlands-published book and the grand finale of the SABI Literature Festival 2026.
Macrooy masterfully intertwined poignant readings from his deeply personal narrative with musical interludes, demonstrating exceptional versatility as both writer and performer. His soulful vocals resonated through the hall during musical segments, enhanced by impeccable sound engineering, while musician Jonathan Moeslan provided atmospheric guitar accompaniment. The audience, comprising diverse age groups, remained enthralled throughout the evening, culminating in a spontaneous collective rendition of Macrooy’s earlier commercial work ‘Mi Kondre Tru’.
The book itself courageously explores themes of identity, coming-of-age, and queer existence within the Surinamese context—particularly significant given the ongoing challenges surrounding LGBTQ+ discourse in the nation. Macrooy emphasized literature’s unique capacity to address such sensitive topics, expressing hope for increased dialogue and action regarding these and other social issues.
During an intimate conversation with Sharda Ganga, Macrooy revealed his writing process and vulnerability within the text. Ganga observed his remarkable linguistic dexterity, noting how he ’employed the very language that once confined him as a tool for liberation.’ The author also reflected on the universal struggles of identity formation, particularly among youth, advising attendees not to fear inevitable change.
The evening additionally honored writer Edgar Cairo, whose work profoundly influenced Macrooy’s artistic development. Beyond the main event, Macrooy recorded a podcast exploring queer legacy and visited the Nassy Brouwerschool with activist Sammy Doorson to discuss humanity and gender with students.
Organized by Stichting Skrifi with support from the Dutch Foundation for Literature, the SABI Literature Festival aims to establish itself as a multi-day platform showcasing Surinamese literary innovation. Through partnerships with Surinamese and Dutch organizations, the foundation continues developing sustainable reading infrastructure despite limited resources, working to structurally strengthen the nation’s literary landscape through venues including Souposo, Spice Quest, and the university library.