Soengoe Kondre

Soengoe Kondre / Submerged Heritage explores the history of large-scale building projects in Suriname and their consequences for the local population. Curator Vincent van Velsen highlights 'transmigration villages' such as Koffiekamp on the Suriname River, which flooded after a dam was closed in 1964 and forced the relocation of the settled Saramaccan and Aukan maroon communities.

These stories are illustrated through Van Velsen's personal recollections, and supported by archive photographs, design drawings and video recordings that show the current situation and the impact of architecture created for economic gain. The exhibition is on display at the Nieuwe Instituut from 16 September 2023.