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Greetings from Vaassen: the future of the Moluccan story in education
Meet Pieter Siwabessij, who lives in Vaassen and teaches history and social studies at the Christelijk Lyceum in Apeldoorn. He is also a municipal councillor for the CDA in the municipality of Epe. His most important mission? Giving the Moluccan story a more prominent place in Dutch education. A story that, in Pieter's view, is still too often overlooked, while it forms a crucial part of Dutch history.
A gift from my mother
Pieter's motivation to work for recognition of the Moluccan story comes from a deeply personal experience. "I always call it a little gift from my mother," he says. In 2017 his mother died after a long illness. Shortly afterwards Pieter travelled to the Moluccas for the first time. A journey that made a deep impression on him. "After that trip I realised that I had not gone into that history well enough," he explains.
It was this journey that made Pieter realise that Moluccan history is often poorly, or barely, represented in Dutch schoolbooks. "In those schoolbooks Moluccan history was in many cases described in just two sentences. I went deeper and deeper into the history and eventually began lobbying for more attention to Moluccan history." That insight was the beginning of his determined effort to make the Moluccan story known to a wider public.
Photo: Maarten Sprangh
From guest lectures to the national stage
Pieter's first steps towards giving Moluccan history more attention in education began on a small scale, but have since grown into national activities. "I wrote an article that was published in a professional journal for history teachers. After that I decided to start giving guest lectures on the subject," Pieter says. What began with a guest lecture at a primary school led to invitations from libraries, associations and even the teacher training college.
His efforts did not go unnoticed. "At a certain point I came into contact with the Committee for Strengthening Knowledge of the History of the Former Dutch East Indies, led by former minister Jet Bussemaker," Pieter says. This committee advised the government on increasing attention to the history of the former Dutch East Indies in education. He also became involved in the professional learning community of the Indisch Herinneringscentrum and a sounding board group at the Rijksmuseum. "So it rather got out of hand: from a guest lecture at a primary school to thinking along at national level and doing wonderful things," he concludes with a smile.
Photo: Spraakmakers, KRO-NCRV
The importance of the Moluccan story
Pieter is clear about it: the Moluccan story deserves a prominent place in Dutch education. "Moluccans are part of Dutch history. That simply has to be told," he says. For Pieter, the absence of a clear Moluccan perspective in the history books is a missed opportunity. "There are so many Moluccan people in the Netherlands, and their history is simply not acknowledged within that piece of Dutch history."
According to Pieter, more attention to the Moluccan story in education would contribute not only to greater knowledge but also to greater understanding. "The first result is of course that people know more about the Moluccan perspective," he explains. "I hope people learn to look at the broader picture and to realise that there are several perspectives. That could also help them understand better that in every situation different views exist."
Photo: Omroep Gelderland
A positive view of the future
Although Pieter is driven to get the Moluccan story into the schoolbooks as soon as possible, he understands that change takes time. "I look at the future positively. I would love the whole story to be in the schoolbooks tomorrow, but I also know it does not work like that," he admits. Even so he sees many positive developments. "Now, with the report 'Deel en Verbind' by the Committee for Strengthening Knowledge of the History of the Former Dutch East Indies and initiatives such as the Indisch Herinneringscentrum, very fine steps have been taken."
Pieter stresses that there is growing attention for the Moluccan story, both in the media and within educational initiatives. "There are all kinds of organisations, such as Molukse Voetstappen, busy lobbying and becoming ever more visible. You notice that the story is becoming better known and we really have to hold on to that. Strike while the iron is hot and push on," he concludes optimistically.
11 October – Opening of the RE:CAST exhibition
Five talented young Moluccan artists of the third and fourth generation turn their attention to the story of slavery in the Moluccan archipelago, which until now has often been overlooked.
