MAAS makes performance at Keti Koti

On Tuesday 30 June and Wednesday 1 July 2020, Aan tafel can be seen at the Maaspodium, Rotterdam, a performance on the history of slavery as part of Keti Koti. It is the third year in a row that Maas is trying to make this painful part of history palpable through theatre. The performance is made (coronaproof) and performed by Sue-Ann Bel, Ayrton Fraenk, Elvis Rot and Ismail Mamo.

"With ongoing police violence and anti-black racism in the United States and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, Keti Koti comes into a brighter light for us this year and it is extra important to keep telling the stories, to keep remembering. Because in the Netherlands too, we are still dealing with racism and the consequences of slavery and colonialism."

Two years ago, the idea arose, as with Theatre after Dam, to reflect on the history of slavery and Keti Koti, the celebration of abolition, every year. "The existence of slavery and the role our country played in it in a relatively recent past is also in the DNA of many Rotterdam youth. Sometimes on the surface and sometimes tucked away deep down. In order to get to know each other better in the city, we should also be able to question each other about who our ancestors were. With these projects, Maas wants Rotterdam youth to question this part of history with an open and curious mind, and then make it tangible with a performance," says Bernadette Stokvis, business director of Maas Theatre and Dance.

On Tuesday 30 June and Wednesday 1 July 2020, we will be 'at the table' together, eating and talking together. The basis for these evenings are the interviews actors Sue-Ann Bel, Ayrton Fraenk, Elvis Rot and Ismail Mamo conducted with ten Rotterdam youths about the slavery past.

Performance dates and times Maaspodium, Rotterdam

• Tue 30 June - 17:30
• Tue 30 June - 20:00
• Wed 1 July - 17:30
• Wed 1 July - 20:00
• Including a meal.

Tickets: www.maastd.nl

Concept, direction, acting: Sue-Ann Bel, Ayrton Fraenk
Playmakers: Elvis Rot, Ismail Mamo
Final direction: Sara Giampaolo
Inspired interviews with: Aurelia, Denise, Vanilson, Cemal, Ilidia, Kyria, Lotti, Lieke, Beyza, Danielle, Abigail
At the Table is part of the Rotterdam Keti Koti celebration, organised by Shared Past Shared Future, Keti Koti Connect, Kabra Neti.
2018: Point of No Return, watch the mini-documentary here.

2019: What we (don't) know, watch the mini-documentary here.