Johannes N. Helstone: Suriname on the move

The Surinamese composer Johannes Nicolaas Helstone (1853-1927) lived through an era of rapid change, before and after the abolition of slavery. This exhibition sheds light on the life and work of this pioneer of Surinamese classical music on the basis of postcards, books, photos and sheet music from the personal archive of his grand-nephew John Helstone.

Helstone was born into slavery in 1853 on the wood plantation Berg en Dal in Suriname. As a child he was taught by German missionaries, also known as the Hernhutters, or the Evangelical Brethren Community (E.B.G), who placed great importance on music. That enabled Helstone to learn about European classical music from an early age. His musical talent was clear and he went to study at the conservatorium in Leipzig. After returning to Paramaribo, Johannes Helstone became a celebrated composer and a prominent figure in the cultural life of Suriname.

On display are not only personal documents belonging to Helstone but also items from the Surinamica Collection held at the Allard Pierson. These pieces illuminate the broader social context in which Helstone moved during his lifetime. He experienced a number of key turning points in Surinamese history, which were to rapidly change society. The exhibition illustrates them with maps, posters and pamphlets. These items also reveal how people of colour were viewed in Europe around 1900.