With the first ever Truth Commission in the Netherlands, the Flemish theater company Action Zoo Humain calls attention to the underexposed, colonial legacy of the human zoo. Until deep into the 20th century, the Netherlands too exhibited thousands of men, women and children as "exotic," "wild" and "primitive" in so-called 'human zoos'. Think, for example, of the Surinamese and Indonesians exhibited at the World Exhibition in Amsterdam (1883), the Indian Exhibition in Arnhem (1928) and the Senegalese village at the Nenijto in Rotterdam (1928).
Does the 'human zoo' still influence social thinking today? Aren't the ethnic profiling by the police, the benefits scandal at the IRS, as well as the "innocent" sharing of footage on social media of that "exotic" travel, examples of this?
Come and see for yourself during this unique and one-of-a-kind site-specific performance. Prime Minister Mark Rutte and King Willem-Alexander recently apologized for the Netherlands' slavery past. The Truth Commission picks up on that and gets to work on what might follow after the famous comma. Put yourself in the problematic curiosity of the visitors, the experiences of the peoples on display and the colonial propaganda machine of the organizers.
Based on South Africa's "Truth and Reconciliation Commission" witnesses speak out in word, visuals and movement. Former politician Kathleen Ferrier and Mpho Tutu van Furth, daughter of the late South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, lead the hearing as chairpersons.
Is it a performance, a theatrical production or a real truth commission? The terms don't matter. Come and see for yourself.
This performance was selected by the jury of the Dutch Theatre Festival 2024.
"Following the example of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, witnesses speak out in word, image and movement at symbolic locations of the white establishment in cities where human zoos once stood. Viewers are challenged to stop watching from the sidelines and instead start thinking and acting."
Press quotes
-
De Standaard (Belgium)
05.04.2024The confusion that the Truth Commission creates is particularly productive: where does art end and activism begin? By ultimately asking the audience to actually resist the dehumanisation of “the other”, the performance emphasises everyone's individual responsibility towards the toxic legacy of human zoos.Read more -
Trouw (Netherlands)
18.02.2024In the theatre production The Truth Commission Netherlands, a Flemish theatre company brings the Dutch history of exhibitions of “exotic people” into the present day. 'On social media, there is still a human zoo going on for people of colour.' -
De Lage Landen (Netherlands)
24.11.2023Amidst the bickering of the committee members and the captivating dance solos of the performers, perhaps the most powerful scene comes towards the end of the performance.Read more -
De Gelderlander (Netherlands)
19.10.2024People exhibited as exotic attractions in a zoo; it wasn't that long ago (...) That painful chapter in our history has faded, but the influence of human zoos on our society can still be felt.Read more -
De Theaterkrant (Netherlands)
06.10.2023The information that you hear and see as a spectator is alternately harrowing, shocking, painful, and provokes anger and shame. Fortunately, humour is also used to make the whole thing more palatable. (...) The performance holds up a mirror and often feels uncomfortable. Hats off to creator Chokri Ben Chikha, because this is sorely needed.Read more -
NRC (Netherlands)
27.09.2023"It's about bringing different truths and perspectives into confrontation with each other. - Chokri Ben Chikha, director 'The Truth Commission Netherlands'Read more
Credits
- Concept/direction
- Chokri Ben Chikha
- Project manager/dramaturgy
- Sietske de Vries
- Production manager
- Lique van Gerven
- Script
- Erik-Ward Geerlings, Sharona Maguette Diop
- With and by
- Kathleen Ferrier, Mpho Tutu van Furth, Bert Sliggers, Chantal Loïal, Iris Tjoa, Mareille Labohm, Fouad Mourigh, Moussa Ndiaye, Izah Hankammer, Tamar Niamut, Anis de Jong, Mavis Carrilho, Nienke Nasserian, Wensley Piqué, David Prins, Zouzou Ben Chikha
- Music
- Seppe Salomé
- Photography
- Kurt Van Der Elst
- Film
- Sven Peetoom, Korrel
- Website/socials
- Robin Laurens, Kirsten Lipman, Oya Latifa
- Press
- Ronald de Groot
- Production
- Action Zoo Humain
- Coproduction
- PERPODIUM, DEGASTEN, Theater Rotterdam, deBuren, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, Musis & Stadstheater Arnhem, de Brakke Grond
- Supported by
- Bijlmer Parktheater, IMPACT, Theater Zuidplein, NTGent, Vlaamse Overheid, Provinciehuis Arnhem, Waalse Kerk, Debatcentrum Arminius, Fonds 21, Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, Fonds Podiumkunsten, Vriendenloterijfonds, Fonds ZOZ
- This performance was made possible with the support of the Belgian Federal Government's Taxshelter through uFund.