On Monday, the South American nation of Suriname will honor the life and enduring legacy of beloved cultural icon Borger Breeveld through a special two-part public tribute titled “Celebrate Borger”, jointly organized by Breeveld’s family and the Office of the President of Suriname. The event will open with a special gathering at the Congreshal, followed by a free public screening of Breeveld’s legendary Surinamese film *Wan Pipel* on Independence Square. Rejecting the structure of a traditional funeral, organizers have designed the occasion to bring the whole Surinamese community together to reflect on Breeveld’s life, decades of work, and unbreakable bond with his home country.
Friends, family members, colleagues, fellow artists, and any community members who feel connected to Breeveld’s legacy will gather to share tributes through music, personal anecdotes, visual retrospectives, and collective reflection. According to his family, the choice to frame this gathering as a celebration of life aligns perfectly with the attitude Breeveld carried throughout his entire lifetime. “Keep going” was Breeveld’s core personal motto, a principle he held onto even after he relocated to the Netherlands for health reasons in April 2022.
Even as declining health placed new limitations on his mobility, Breeveld never lost his focus on what he could still accomplish, his family shared. Even during the Owru Yari traditional year-end celebration, he could be found navigating the busy city in his wheelchair, eager to take part in the warmth and energy of community gatherings. He remained active as a working actor even after his move to the Netherlands, taking on roles in two new productions: the feature film *Up the River* and the television series *My House on Mars*. Beyond his on-screen work, he remained a go-to source of wisdom for loved ones and peers, drawing on his extensive first-hand knowledge, sharp memory, and decades of professional and life experience.
Breeveld left clear instructions for how his remains should be handled after his passing. He specifically requested that his body not be transported back to Suriname for burial; instead, he asked to be cremated in the Netherlands, with his ashes later brought to his home country. His family has honored this wish, and his ashes have already been brought to Suriname.
Organizers note that this is another reason a celebration of life is far more fitting than a formal, somber farewell. For Breeveld, Suriname was never just a physical location – he carried the nation and its people with him everywhere, even during his years living abroad. The public screening of *Wan Pipel* was chosen specifically to reflect this truth. The film holds a unique, irreplaceable place in Surinamese cinematic history and national culture, and organizers say it offers the community a chance to collectively reflect on Surinamese identity, shared history, and national connection.
Breeveld’s family has extended an open invitation to people of all ages to attend the tribute on Independence Square. Attendees are invited to bring a paya mat or blanket, as well as a small light source, though open-flame candles are prohibited for safety. The opening gathering at the Congreshal is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m., with the public tribute and screening moving to Independence Square at 7:30 p.m. Entry to the entire event is open to all members of the public free of charge.