Black Renaissance(s) - Opening Black Achievement Month
Oct 1
Black Achievement Month & ITA
In Black Renaissance(s), we move between the cultural heyday of the 1920s and the 2020s.
Black Renaissance(s)
- Date
- October 1, 2026
- Duration
- 60 min, no interval
- Genre
- Perspective
- Taal
- Dutch
- Location
- Bookshop
A hundred years ago, Harlem became the symbol of cultural innovation. Black poets, thinkers, musicians, dancers, writers and visual artists developed a new self-image, with fresh ideas for a new era. In Europe, too, Black creators set cities in motion. Amsterdam took on a new rhythm thanks to jazz, migration and nightlife. In Paris, Josephine Baker became an international sensation: an icon of freedom and seduction, celebrated and viewed through a European lens.
But where does the heart of cultural innovation beat today? During this energetic programme, we’ll kick off Black Achievement Month with a talk, a panel discussion and a short performance. Together, we’ll explore how Black culture has been opening up new worlds for generations: through music and language, through cities and scenes, but also through bodies that remember, move and pass on the future.
From Harlem to Johannesburg, from Paris to Paramaribo, from Lagos to London and from Accra to Amsterdam.
Tickets and times
Programme
Raziyah Heath is a curator, cultural researcher and DJ who explores the sonic archives of the African diaspora under the name Chinnamasta. Through music, sound and storytelling, she traces connections across histories of migration, colonialism and cultural exchange. During Black Renaissance(s), she reflects on the legacy of Josephine Baker beyond the icon.
Sydney Lowell is a poet, performer and cultural organizer whose work brings together rhythm, language and community. Drawing inspiration from the literary and intellectual legacy of the Harlem Renaissance, she explores themes of connection, introspection and collective imagination. She is accompanied by Ranie Ribeiro on the kamele ngoni.
Zaïre Krieger is a poet, performer and interdisciplinary artist. Her work explores identity, freedom and transformation, embracing the complexity of being many things at once. Through poetry and performance, she creates space for contradiction, change and new ways of being.
Imani Heijmans is a Surinamese maker and researcher at The Need for Legacy, a platform dedicated to uncovering and activating overlooked histories of artists of colour. Their research focuses on performers active during the Dutch Jazz Age and how their work can resonate with contemporary audiences. Through research, education and artistic practice, Imani helps bring hidden stories back into public view.
Black Achievement Month
Black Achievement Month (BAM) is held every year in October. The festival aims to showcase the exceptional talents of people with African roots. BAM provides a platform for creators, entrepreneurs, academics and other influential voices from the Black community. Their achievements are brought to the attention of a wide audience through a variety of activities, including debates, exhibitions, literary collections, workshops, spoken word, and theatre, dance, music and film performances that centre on the ‘Black Experience’. In doing so, BAM highlights not only the cultural richness but also the social and economic value of the Afro-community in the Netherlands – against the historical backdrop of slavery and colonialism.
