In the first instalment of "the slow hard work of societal impact", I focused on my coordinating role with the tapestry work piece. In this second instalment, I want to reflect briefly (although being brief is one of my learning goals) on screens and screenings as an avenue for societal impact. I refer in this … Continue reading The slow hard work of societal impact II: on screens and screenings
For those who missed out on 'The Calabash Onder de Bigi Bon' event from last December, I am excited to announce the we have scheduled a number of screening dates of the documentary film. We are calling this The (Mini) Calabash 2025: Keti Koti edition as June is the month of commemoration of the abolition … Continue reading The (mini) Calabash 2025: Documentary Screenings for Keti Koti Month
Collaborate and contribute to a monumental tapestry about the Dutch Slavery past. From Tuesday 27 May to the first week of July is the Cultural Geography Chair Group at Wageningen University and Research the host and coordinator for the making of a piece of the tapestry of the project ‘Threads of our Dutch Slavery Past’. … Continue reading Join in at Wageningen! Threads of our Dutch Slavery Past (Draden van ons Nederlands Slavernijverleden) – Gelderland edition
It's wonderful to see this book is finally out and I am pleased to have contributed a chapter to this important collection. The book comes out of a 2-day conference from 2021. This was the first academic conference that I attended in the Netherlands after the move from Sheffield and the first in-person conference after … Continue reading [New book chapter published!] Making an Embodied Absence Present: Tourism and the Cultural Imaginary of Slavery and Colonial Heritage in the Netherlands
It is with such great excitement that I announce the premiere screening of my documentary film - 'The Embodied Absence of the Past: Tourism's intersection with slavery and colonial heritage memories in the Ghana-Suriname-Netherlands triangle'. The premiere will be one of the main highlights during 'The Calabash Onder de Bigi Bon' event. This event is … Continue reading Documentary Film Premiere (06.12.24): The Embodied Absence of the Past
There is always a season of weeding, planting, watering and caring before the season of harvest arrives. It's nice to have finally received the harvest of the collaborative work that went into developing this book chapter for the edited volume of the Routledge Handbook of Critical African Heritage Studies. Our chapter examines "The sustainability question … Continue reading [New book chapter published!] The Sustainability Question in Heritage Tourism Development in Africa
The completion of my NWO Veni project calls for a celebration, marking the end of my research journey through Ghana, Suriname, and the Netherlands. In 11 weeks, I will host a commemorative event titled "The Calabash Onder de Bigi Bon," inspired by Dr. Afua Twum-Danso Imoh, who previously organized an event called "The Calabash." This gathering will feature a screening of the film (edumentary) I created based on my project. The event is scheduled for December 6, 2024, in Wageningen, and registration details will be provided soon.
The author is ecstatic about being awarded a European Research Council Starting Grant for a 5-year research project, expressing gratitude to God and colleagues. The project, FRICTIONS, focuses on how tourism impacts slavery and colonial heritage, aiming to shift societal narratives. The author plans to recruit 3 PhD candidates and a Postdoc to join the research team. Despite the challenges during the application process, the author encourages unsuccessful applicants and acknowledges their efforts. The post also hints at upcoming vacancies and promises more details about the project. The author concludes by congratulating other grant awardees and wishing good luck to those who were not successful.
This paper discusses the representation of slavery and colonial heritage on guided tours in Amsterdam, focusing on the spatial narratives used by tour guides and the factors shaping these narratives. The research highlights the influence of creating a positive atmosphere in engaging tourists with these sensitive topics. Additionally, the study provides a spatial mapping of the specific geographic sites in Amsterdam where slavery and colonial heritage narratives are told. The paper aims to showcase the transformative potential of tourism and tour guides in addressing slavery and heritage in a European urban setting.
Pottery holds enduring significance in human history. Reshaping Eleanor White's thesis into an academic article was a gratifying process. Exploring the pottery village of Margarites, Crete, the paper delves into authenticity in the context of tourism and intangible cultural heritage. It illuminates the impact of tourism on the community's perception of authenticity in ceramic crafting.
Emmanuel Akwasi Adu-Ampong 