AFRO Magazine Statia Edition draws enthusiasm

The responses to the latest AFRO Magazine print edition -titled Remember Statia- that was launched on Sanday October 13, have varied so far.

One Island Commissioner, Rechelline Leerdam who was in attendance at the launch at the office of AFRO Magazine in Weesp, was so enthusiastic about the publication that she immediately discussed ordering a bulk stock on behalf of the Island Council, to be distributed to associates and school children on the island. And while there are several people daily purchasing single magazines through the website of AFRO Magazine, one person bought 30 at once. “Members of my team spent time in Statia in an exchange program and I want to surprise them with this edition. I think they will find it interesting,” she explained.

The new print edition of AFRO Magazine is indeed an interesting publication, chock full of personal stories about the Afro community of St. Eustatius. Island Governor Alida Francis and Commissioners Leerdam and Reuben Merkman were among the crowd of about 40 people that was present. The event left the small office of AFRO Magazine buzzing with undisguised pride.  

"When I heard that you would be there too, I had to swallow hard at the thought that the Governor would be present in our modest office. But then I realized that we are achieving next level milestones here - including this magazine - and that you are coming because you and perhaps all of us realize that we as an Afro community need to take our business to the next level," said Marvin Hokstam, founder and editor-in-chief of AFRO Magazine.

The magazine, The Remember Statia Edition, is the result of the Remember Statia project that the Bigi Bon foundation carried out together with the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance. Islanders and other people with a connection to the island delved into the slavery archives, looking for stories from their past. Some of the stories were translated into profound works of art by artist Fre Calmes, who spent a month on the island as Artist in Residence. The stories and artworks are all included in the Remember Statia edition, a fascinating 64-page publication chock full of untold, personal stories, in English, the island's main language. A community project like no other.

Calmes already unveiled four of the 12 paintings during the launch.

The rest of the collection will be on display in a full exhibition at a later date - perhaps in January 2025 - at the office of AFRO Magazine.

Kenneth Cuvalay, chairman of the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Gound Alliance, expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to the project. "It is important that we, the descendants of enslaved people, tell our own stories," he said.

The African burial grounds on St. Eustatius were discovered a few years ago during construction work at the island's airport, after which the Alliance, led by Kenneth Cuvalay, took up the fight to prevent European archaeologists from disrespectfully conducting research with the bones of African ancestors who were buried there according to African traditions. Cuvalay also spearheaded the application for recognition to UNESCO on behalf of the Alliance in February 2022, and the government officials all expressed their gratitude for this.

Governor Francis and Commissioners Leerdam and Merkman also addressed the audience. They are currently in transit in the Netherlands after their visit to Paris, where last Friday the African burial grounds of Golden Rock and Godet were officially recognized by UNESCO as important places from the legacy of slavery.

How the archaeologists left the graves behind

Stories of the human remains, where they are currently stored and what the island population will do with them, are also included in the new AFRO Magazine publication.

During the launch of the magazine, Jacqueline Verkleij, who had provided training in archival research on St. Eustatius with her colleague Martine Zoeteman and Jacqueline Verkleij from the Center for Family History (CBG), also spoke about her time on the island. "I felt very welcome."

The magazine costs 7 euros plus shipping costs and can be ordered via the QR code below.

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The Remember Statia project came to an wrap with the launch of the magazine and the unveiling of the paintings.