For nearly four centuries, family stories from Suriname and Amsterdam have been shaped on and between two continents. Thanks to letters, cassette tapes, and smartphones, the connection between family members on both sides of the ocean has always remained strong. From seventeenth-century shopping lists to photos with sweet notes around Suriname’s independence in 1975—these ties have always been cherished.

From July 2023 to July 2024, we reflect on the history and consequences of slavery. With the exhibition Famiri Familie, the Amsterdam City Archives and the National Archives of Suriname aim to contribute to this commemoration by telling new stories and shedding light on lesser-known histories from different perspectives. At the same time, the exhibition invites Amsterdam Surinamese and Surinamese Amsterdammers to share their family stories—with each other, with other visitors, and with the City Archives. Come together and share your famiri tori (family stories).

The exhibition was designed to invite visitors into the living rooms of these families, where the stories are told. Therefore, a conscious choice was made for a lot of variety in the exhibition, where Surinamese and Amsterdam elements come together. Each family has a unique pattern, symbolizing their history.