rssOct 4, 2026, 05:30

City Archives investigates colonial past of De Bazel: "Spider in the colonial web"

The Amsterdam City Archives is preparing a 2027 exhibition titled The Colonial World to investigate the history of the De Bazel building and its role in the Dutch Trading Society. By focusing on personal stories of individuals from Indonesia and Suriname, the project aims to foster recognition and public understanding of colonial-era impacts.

The Amsterdam City Archives is researching the colonial history of the De Bazel building on Vijzelstraat to prepare for a new exhibition titled The Colonial World, opening in March 2027. Originally constructed as the headquarters for the Dutch Trading Society, the building served as a central hub for colonial operations, including the financing of projects in Indonesia and the management of plantations in Suriname. Historian Mark Ponte describes the location as a key center in the colonial network that profoundly impacted countless lives.

Personal narratives, such as the story of Sanwiradji, who was sent from Java to Suriname as a contract laborer in 1926, will be featured to highlight the human cost of these historical practices. Artist Dimitri Madimin, the descendant of a contract worker, is collaborating on the project to help bring these underrepresented stories to light. Organizers aim for the exhibition to provide acknowledgement and public awareness, encouraging a deeper understanding of the colonial past and its lasting effects.

Culture Amsterdam Netherlands World

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Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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