On Sunday, August 24, during SAIL, The National Maritime Museum, Museum Maluku, and L3B.AGENCY present the first edition of ROOTS ON DECK. A new program in which communities that have often remained underrepresented in museums share their own stories, with the VOC ship as a living stage. Each edition is co-created with one or more communities connected to maritime and colonial history – in all their diversity of perspectives and experiences. 

The first edition, OMBAK ANAK MALUKU, is dedicated to the Moluccan communities in the Netherlands. From the museum, overlooking the replica of the VOC ship Amsterdam, the voices of the Moluccan communities will resonate for an entire afternoon – in their own way, with their own energy and perspectives. Not a story about the communities, but by the communities themselves: about professionalism, craftsmanship, creativity, talent, and a vision of the future. 

Livestream program (2:00 – 4:00 PM) via The National Maritime Museum’s YouTube channel

Three talks will give the stage to Moluccan perspectives on past, present, and future, interwoven with pre-recorded performances and visual interludes.

Livestream program (2:00 – 4:00 PM) via The National Maritime Museum’s YouTube channel 

Three talks will give the stage to Moluccan perspectives on past, present, and future, interwoven with pre-recorded performances and visual interludes. 

TALK 1: Reflection: Who We Were | Joao Loupatty and Ciska Manuputty 
On seafaring, ancestral strength, and identity beyond colonialism. 
An exploration of Moluccan roots, where tradition and AI meet. 

TALK 2: Entrepreneurship: What We Do | Geronimo Tuhumena, Joshua Timisela, and Margery Kainama 
On entrepreneurship, trading spirit, and community strength. 
How do Moluccan makers use their resilience and creativity to build, even under challenging circumstances? 

TALK 3: Representation: Who We Are | Aca Siwabessy and Yopi Abraham 
On visibility in art, culture, and museum spaces. 
How is the collective story of the Moluccan community represented, and how do they take ownership of their own narrative? 

The replica of the VOC ship Amsterdam stands for many as a symbol of a violent past. The National Maritime Museum is aware of this and carefully considers its programming on this site. At ROOTS ON DECK, however, the choice lies with the communities themselves. This time, the Moluccan communities deliberately chose to use the ship as their stage – to tell their own stories, in their own way, and to fill a charged place with new meaning. 

This program is supported by the Mondriaan Fund and the VriendenLoterij. 

Please note: attending the livestream of ROOTS ON DECK in person is now fully booked.
You are of course still very welcome at the museum, where additional programming will take place.

Reserve your ticket via our online ticket shop.

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