Threads of the Dutch Slavery Past
Exhibition
From 18 April to 28 June 2026, the Grote Kerk in Breda will display a 35-metre-long tapestry, created in 2025 by hundreds of people from across North Brabant. The artwork, designed by artist Victor Sonna, tells stories about the province’s history of slavery.
Storytelling through textiles is a tradition that dates back centuries. In many cultures, significant events are captured in tapestries. Victor Sonna’s design has been brought to life for Threads of the Dutch Slavery Past, using techniques such as embroidery, tufting and quilting. The result is not only a tribute, but also a shared memory and an invitation to conversation.
About the project
Knowledge and awareness of the Netherlands’ history of slavery and its continuing impact today have increased significantly in recent years. The apologies offered by cities, companies, the Prime Minister and the King for this dark chapter in our history represent important milestones in this regard. It is only by acknowledging what went wrong that a society can move forward with hope and build a better future. That is why this part of history is now receiving extra attention. Threads of the Dutch Slavery Past contributes to this in a unifying way.
North Brabant was involved in the colonial past in four main ways:
- Economically: by processing raw materials from the colonies and producing goods for the colonial markets. Examples of this include the tobacco industry and the textile industry.
- Religiously: through the missionaries who left North Brabant for European colonies to convert the local population there. For example, the Brothers of Tilburg / Brothers of Our Lady Mother of Mercy.
- Administratively: due to the personal interests of Brabant officials in plantations where enslaved people were forced to work.
- Through individuals who came to North Brabant from the colonies, such as Quaco.
BREDA
During May and June 2025, work on the tapestry was carried out at various locations in Breda. In this way, many people in Breda worked together to create 5 metres of the gigantic artwork, which is 35 metres long in total.
While the tapestry is on display in Breda, various locations across the city will highlight traces of the city’s history of slavery. This will help you discover just how closely this history is linked to Breda and North Brabant.
Various activities in the city also offer additional knowledge and raise awareness. In this way, the project contributes in a unifying manner to the dialogue about the Dutch history of slavery, both now and in the future.
Anna and Laloupe
The story of Anna and Laloupe is also told at the Grote Kerk Breda. On display is the original baptismal register of the Grote Kerk Breda, containing the record of the baptism of two former slaves, Anna and Laloupe. They worked as servants for former governor Crommelin and came to Breda with him. On 22 March 1772, they gained their freedom through their baptism in the Grote Kerk Breda. These traces of the colonial history reveal just how closely this history is linked to Breda and North Brabant.
Victor Sonna
Artist and designer Victor Sonna (1977, Cameroon) created the design for the impressive Brabant tapestry. In his work, Sonna moves between Cameroon and the Netherlands, examining what it is like to exist between two cultures. His work often stems from tensions between cultures and styles, resulting in artworks that explore boundaries and have an alienating effect.
On 29 June, the tapestry will be moved to the Chassé Theater, where the ‘Stichting Herdenking Slavernijverleden Breda’ will, as is tradition, organise the commemoration and celebration of Keti Koti, the breaking of the chains.
Partners
The Villa Maecenatis Foundation is behind the national initiative Threads of the Dutch Slavery Past.
