Returning the Gaze is Sites of Memory's latest site specific performance about whose voice is heard, ignored or acknowledged. The dominant, often white gaze versus the suppressed gaze from which colonial history is viewed, is central to this performance. Returning the Gaze is a theatrical walk about the colonial history of Haarlem told through dance, poetry, and live music.

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The performers share the story of Susanna Dumion, who was born into slavery in Suriname in 1713 and died in Haarlem in 1818 at the age of 105. What was it like for her to live as a Black woman in Haarlem at that time? How is she remembered and how do we want to remember her?

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Dates:

2nd and 3rd July at 13:00 and 16:00, at De Schuur, Haarlem.

(The shows on the 2nd of July are SOLD OUT, so book fast!)

Starting location: De Schuur, Haarlem

Duration: 45 min

This performance will have text mainly in Dutch with sections of English and Papiamentu

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Returning the Gaze is in collaboration with De Schuur, Mapping Slavery Project, Cultuursporen, DOX and Poetry Circle Nowhere and is made possible by VSBfonds, VriendenLoterij Fonds, Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst, Provincie Noord-Holland, Prins Bernard Cultuurfonds Noord-Holland and Norma Fonds.