Threads of our Dutch slavery past in Breda's Grote Kerk

Artist Victor Sonna (1977, Cameroon) designed this wall tapestry and hundreds of volunteers from all over North Brabant brought the artwork to life in 2025. In Breda, this took place at various locations of the Nieuwe Veste. 

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗲 
Next to the wall tapestry, an original baptism register from 1722 is displayed, showing the records of the baptisms of Anna and Laloupe, two enslaved people who were liberated through their baptisms at the Grote Kerk Breda. 

Cultural Market
On 9 May, there will be a cultural market at the Grote Kerk in Breda. This Pasar Diaspora is a day filled with music, talks, dance and inspiring presentations.

Mother’s Day Workshop
Join us on 10 May for a workshop on folding Lensu or Angisa headscarves. During this inspiring Mother’s Day workshop, you’ll discover the origins, significance and techniques behind these traditional headscarves.

𝗢𝗻𝘁𝗱𝗲𝗸 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗷𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗮 
During the period that the wall tapestry is exhibited in Breda, traces of the history of slavery are made visible at various locations in the city: Breda Museum, City Archive and Archaeology Breda, Nieuwe Veste, a BredaPhoto window at the station, and the Indisch Museum of Stichting Arjati. The locations are connected via a free (walk) route. This allows you to see how closely this history is connected to Breda. 

𝗨𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗸 
Both during the creation process in 2025 and now, in the period that the artwork is in Breda, new conversations and memories are emerging. Various activities offer additional knowledge and awareness. In this way, Draden van ons Nederlandse slavernijverleden contributes in a Connecting way to conversations about the past and the future. 

PARTNERS Stichting Villa Maecenatis is the foundation of the national initiative of Draden van ons Nederlandse slavernijverleden. Project partners Breda: Grote Kerk Breda, Nieuwe Veste, Stadsarchief en archeologie Breda, Stedelijk Museum Breda, Stichting Herdenking Afschaffing Slavernij Breda, Stichting Arjati, and Comité 30 juni – 1 juli Breda.