Traces of our Dutch slavery past in Breda

Traces of a slave trading past

From 18 April to 28 June 2026, the 35-meter-long tapestry 'Sporen van slavernijverleden Noord-Brabant' will be on display in the Grote Kerk Breda. Several organizations and locations in Breda are responding to this. Creating and displaying the tapestry sparks new conversations and memories. Additionally, various activities provide extra knowledge and awareness. In this way, the project now and in the future contributes in a connective manner to the dialogue about the Dutch slavery past. Find out what is happening.

Great Church Breda - Threads of our Dutch slavery history

April 18th to June 28th

Admire in the Grote Kerk Breda the 35-metre-long wall hanging 'Traces of the Slavery Past of North Brabant'. Discover the-making process and stories about the province's slavery history.

Additionally, here you can learn the personal stories of Anna and Laloupe, two former slaves who were freed through their baptism in the Grote Kerk Breda.

Kerkplein 2

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 17:00 | Sunday: 13:00 – 17:00

Check the website of the Grote Kerk Breda for exceptional opening hours and more activities related to Our Threads of Dutch Slavery History.

A snippet from the tapestry "Traces of the Slave Trade Past North Brabant" featuring two figures

View the manufacturing process and explore further

Last year, eighty volunteers worked at Nieuwe Veste on a part of the 35-meter-wide wall hanging Sporen van slavernijverleden Noord-Brabant. They quilted, embroidered, stamped, and tufted.
During the period that the wall hanging is on display in the Grote Kerk, you can view the entire making process at Nieuwe Veste. The joy of creating together was combined with sharing knowledge and stories about the past and present.

Nieuwe Veste is the place in Breda for meeting and debate. Would you like to deepen your understanding of the subject? At Nieuwe Veste, you will find book tips on the history of slavery and the colonial history of the Netherlands.

Visit the website of Nieuwe Veste for more activities related to Sporen van ons Nederlands Slavernijverleden.

Molenstraat 6

Open: Monday to Friday 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM | Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

A piece of the wall hanging "Traces of the Slave Trade Past North Brabant" with two figures

Stedelijk Museum Breda

Kwatta and Indorock
At Stedelijk Museum Breda you can discover stories about the famous Kwatta chocolate factory and watch the documentary Klanken van Oorsprong about the Dutch-Indonesian influence on pop music.
The gold-colored Kwatta chocolate tin in the collection tells a layered story about our colonial history and cultural connection. The tin shows the intertwined relationship between the Netherlands, Suriname, and Indonesia, two former colonies whose history continues to influence contemporary culture.

Visit the website of Stedelijk Museum Breda for more activities related to Traces of our Dutch slavery past.

Boschstraat 22

Open: Tuesday to Friday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm | Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

City Archive and Archaeology Breda

The City Archive collects the history of Breda and its residents and is also looking for your story.

The collective memory of Breda City Archive & archaeology could use a refresh, because not everyone sees themselves in Breda's collections yet. The city archive aims to change that. For instance, research is being conducted into Breda's slave past.

Do your roots lie in another country and would you like to share your story, photos, or archive material with the city archive? Come by or email info@stadsarchiefbreda.nl.

Parade 10

Open: Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10:00 - 14:00 | on Saturdays 18 April, 16 May, and 20 June: 10:00 - 14:00

Ancient black and white photo of the Boschstraat with the Beyerd and a man with a handcart

BredaPhoto display case station Breda

'Talent in de vitrine' in the hall on the Belcrum side of the Central Station features works by Lindsey Soetodrono from 18 April to 10 May as part of the project Tracks of Our Dutch Slavery Past.

Lindsey Soetodrono explores her Javanese-Surinamese family history and the effects of intergenerational trauma through PutuneJaji: Odjo Lali Aku (Grandchildren of peers: Don’t Forget Me). In this work, she confronts viewers with the history of Javanese-Surinamese indentured labor.

Continuously viewable from 18 April to 10 May

Chassé Cinema

As part of the project Trails of Our Dutch Slave Heritage, Chassé Cinema is screening a number of films related to this theme. Some will be followed by a Q&A with the director.

Visit the Chassé Cinema website for more details.

Indische Museum - Stichting Arjati

The Indonesian Museum has the motto ‘Selamanya di dalam hatiku’. This means ‘always in my heart’. Here, the Indonesian Cultural Heritage and the history of the Dutch East Indies are narrated and passed on through objects and stories.

Joseph Poelaertstraat 1

Wednesday to Saturday: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Walking Route

Would you like to visit some of the locations mentioned above and learn as much as possible about the project Tracks of Our Dutch Slavery Past? Then follow the specially created walking route.

Download the route or pick up the paper version at one of the locations above and the Explore Breda Store, Stadserf 2.

A piece of the wall hanging "Traces of the Slave History in North Brabant" featuring a red figure with a pipe

From 30 June to 5 July, during Keti Koti, the wall tapestry will be on display at Chassé Theatre.

Partners:

Stichting Villa Maecenatis is the foundation of the national initiative "Threads of Our Dutch Slavery History". Project partners Breda: Grote Kerk Breda, Nieuwe Veste, City Archive and Archaeology Breda, Breda Municipal Museum, Foundation Commemoration Abolition of Slavery Breda, Arjati Foundation, and Committee June 30 - July 1 Breda.