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What does the cash book of a plantation sound like? What are the thoughts of a brush that was used for incantations? In what voice does an eighteenth-century contract speak? And what story is hidden in the doll's house of painter Jacob Appel? Eighteen young Flemish and Dutch authors from deBuren's Paris writing residency give a voice to an artefact from the Slavery exhibition at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Jens Meijen wrote a poem inspired by a contract from 1706 between a plantation owner and a painter.
Anne-Goaitske Breteler wrote a short story inspired by a letter written in response to the abolition of slavery on the French side of Sint Maarten.
Pelumi Adejumo gives a voice to a collar from 1689 bearing the coat of arms of William of Orange.
Marie Borremans wrote a poem inspired by a letter from Pieter Mortamer, commander in Luanda, addressed to Johan Maurits, the then governor-general of Dutch Brazil.
Chris Lomans gives a voice to machetes from the early 19th century that were intended for sugar cane plantations.
Ellis Meeusen took inspiration from the 1863 law, drawn up by King Willem III, that set out the Netherlands’ official abolition of slavery in Suriname.
Bart Decroos wrote a short story inspired by a 1708 drawing by Dirk Valkenburg, entitled ‘View of a Mill and Cook-house on a Plantation in Surinam’.
Babeth Fonchie wrote a poem inspired by old wooden stocks and matching iron shackles.
