AMSTERDAM – The surroundings of the National Monument Slavery past in the Oosterpark in Amsterdam will soon be thoroughly tackled. This is done to make it a spacious, worthy memorial place, the municipality writes. Because that is not sufficiently the case now. “The space does not feel like part of the park now.” The work will start soon and before the Ketikoti-This year’s commemoration -on July 1 -have been completed, according to the municipality.
Last year the municipality decided that the park had to be overhauled. They wanted to ensure that the monument can be seen better from the rest of the park and better match the design of the Oosterpark. Interest groups, local residents, visitors and other people were allowed to respond to the plans about the redesign of the area around the slavery monument, which is somewhat separate from the park. That ultimately resulted in a definitive design.
“The space does not feel like part of the park now”
Complete redesign
The monument, which was designed in 2012, designed by the Surinamese artist Erwin de Vries, does not change and remains in the same place. The entrance on the corner of the Oosterpark and Beukenweg, which was closed years ago, will be restored to its former glory.
According to the experts, the plants around the monument do not appeal. That is why the old green is removed and new plants and flowers are replaced. There will also be permanent seating places that visit visitors to the monument to commemorate, but that are not intended as a place or sleeping place. It will also be ensured that there will be more room for visitors during meetings, such as the National Ketikoti commemoration every year.
The water management around the monument and the rest of the park will also be tackled. Now there are quickly peeing after a large rain shower. The high level of groundwater ensures that many trees cannot grow well. Due to the measures, this problem will also be remedied.
