In a landmark moment for Suriname’s cultural sector, Kirti Ramautar has etched her name into the history books after being selected as the first woman to lead the Culturele Unie Suriname (CUS), the nation’s preeminent cultural organization. Ramautar’s appointment was finalized on Monday during the union’s annual general meeting, where members approved her candidacy by acclamation, a vote of unanimous confidence that signals broad support for her leadership.
With 14 years of on-the-ground experience within the CUS and a long-standing career advancing socio-cultural work across Suriname, Ramautar brings deep institutional knowledge and practical expertise to her new role. She succeeds Aniel Manurat, who steered the organization for 14 years and leaves behind a notable legacy of major cultural infrastructure projects. Under Manurat’s tenure, the CUS completed iconic public works including the Tetary Monument and the Anker Monument, alongside dozens of community-focused cultural initiatives that have enriched public life across the country.
In her first public address following the vote, Ramautar outlined her core philosophy on cultural stewardship, emphasizing that culture extends far beyond organizing one-off events. “Culture is not just the hosting of activities,” she explained. “It is also the preservation of our collective identity and the passing down of our shared values and heritage to future generations.”
Looking ahead to her term, the newly inaugurated president has laid out three clear priorities for the CUS. First, she will work to strengthen cohesion and unity across the organization’s internal structures, aligning teams and regional chapters around a shared mission. Second, she aims to expand meaningful engagement and participation among the union’s membership, creating more opportunities for grassroots involvement in cultural programming. Finally, Ramautar plans to ramp up public awareness and educational programming centered on Suriname’s diverse cultural heritage, ensuring the organization’s work resonates with audiences of all ages across the country.