Dinner and conversation about Vals Paradijs
An evening about family histories, identity and what we pass on
Inspired by the second part of the documentary Vals Paradijs, Shantie Singh joins Feroz Amirkhan, Pavan Marhe and Frank Kanhai in conversation. Together, they discuss family histories, migration and colonial history, and how these continue to shape the present. Before the conversation, enjoy a meal by Soul Food Lovers.
From family stories to shared history
Which stories do you grow up with, and which remain unspoken? Taking Vals Paradijs as a starting point, the guests share their own family histories and discuss migration, colonialism, injustice and resistance. The experiences of women are also central to the conversation: what choices were open to them, where did they find room for independence, and what do younger generations still recognise in their stories today?
The conversation makes space for different perspectives and experiences within the Hindostani community. Together, the guests reflect on what they want to preserve, what they want to pass on differently and which histories deserve greater visibility.
Dinner
Begin the evening with a freshly prepared roti roll by Soul Food Lovers at Plein. When booking your ticket, choose between chicken and vegetarian.
Programme
17:00-18:00: arrival and dinner
18:00-19:00: panel discussion
About Vals Paradijs: Kracht geboren uit strijd
In Vals Paradijs, Feroz Amirkhan and Pavan Marhe trace the history of Hindostani indentured labour and the stories that have been passed down through families. Through personal family histories, they bring a less visible part of the past into the present.
Episode 2 of Vals Paradijs: Kracht geboren uit strijd airs on Thursday 19 November at 20:25 on NPO 2 and will also be available on NPO Start from that day.
Still uit de documentaire
About the speakers
Shantie Singh is a Rotterdam-based writer, theatre-maker and storyteller. Her work explores identity, migration, family history and the continuing impact of colonialism, with particular attention to the stories of women and foremothers.
Feroz Amirkhan is a documentary filmmaker and strategic consultant. Together with his cousin Pavan Marhe, he created Vals Paradijs, which explores the underrepresented history of Hindostani indentured labour through their own family history.
Pavan Marhe is a documentary filmmaker and co-creator of Vals Paradijs. Together with Feroz Amirkhan, he traces the story of their Hindostani ancestors and connects personal family histories to a broader story of indentured labour, migration and colonial history.
Frank Kanhai is Hindostani-Surinamese and donated a personal object to the Fenix collection. In 1975, at the age of twelve, he moved from Suriname to the Netherlands with his mother and brothers.
About the partners
Soul Food Lovers brings Caribbean dishes and soul food together in culinary experiences that connect people. Through food as a carrier of heritage and community, they share flavours and stories from Caribbean cuisine.
Omroep ZWART is a Dutch public broadcaster that creates space for stories and perspectives that are not always given visibility in the Dutch media landscape. Vals Paradijs: Kracht geboren uit strijd was created in collaboration with Omroep ZWART.