In order to make the slavery past a more well-known subject, Jouwe started the project ‘Traces of Slavery’ in 2010. Research, meetings and city walks in Utrecht were part of this. “We then started looking at locations, buildings and other places in the city that have a link to the history of slavery.”
Jouwe and four other guides give the walks in Utrecht. “We can tell you about fifty locations. Janskerkhof, the Kromme Nieuwegracht and the area around the town hall are concentration points where you will find many stories.”
The Winkel van Sinkel is located near the Town Hall. This is now a well-known restaurant, but the shop used to sell products whose raw materials came from colonies. “They were probably processed on plantations by the slave trade.”
Jouwe did not limit herself to the city of Utrecht, as she later also conducted research into places outside built-up areas. “Then you quickly arrive at country houses, on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, but also along the Vecht. They were built with money earned through colonial investments.”
Doorn, Oudewater, De Bilt, Baarn and Amersfoort, nowadays there are many more places to take colonial walks. “I am very happy that a kind of emancipation movement is starting to get going in the province and that local residents are also participating. Inspired by our work, I hope.”