Anne-Fay's Reaspora

For her performance, Anne-Fay traveled along three continents and crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice, following in the footsteps of a family history. Her own family history, which was strongly influenced by the colonial past of the Netherlands. In the anniversary year 2023, 150 years after the abolition of slavery, Anne-Fay's Reaspora shows the impact this colonial past still has today. 

Anne-Fay has a black mother, who always kept the racism she experienced hidden. She is relieved that her daughter has the privileges that comes with white skin. But Anne-Fay wonders, "With white skin, can I stand for a black woman's rights? And how can I use my privilege properly?" 

Diaspora - Reaspora 
Singer Anne-Fay and her brother filmmaker Felix followed their family diaspora (scattering or metastasis) in the opposite direction; Reaspora. From The Netherlands through Aruba and Curaçao to Suriname, China and Ghana, in search of the stories of their ancestors.  

They met relatives, learned about Holland's colonial past and made music with local producers. Their journey took them past special places in their family history, such as Plantage Peperpot (the place where their family was named Echteld), the Atlantic Ocean where slave ships sailed, all the way to a former slave fort in Ghana. The visuals they shot here are the silent witnesses to an emotional family history. 
The music was compiled into the music album "Reaspora" with producers Morgan Avenue (S10, Willem) and Jeremia Jones (Damian Marley, Nicki Minaj). The album was released in 2021 with a concert show at ‘The Melkweg’ and received raving reviews.

Now the music, story and visuals can be seen in theater. Directed by Timothy de Gilde and lyrics by Bodil de la Parra i.c.w. Anne-Fay and Felix.   

Trigger & Content Warning
Please be advised that Reaspora contains the following sensitive content and techniques:
 
Content Warning: Racism & the N-word
Racial slurs, quotes, experiences, and other examples of overt racism. It also contains images of historical sites connected to slavery.
 
Trigger Warning: Usage of a stroboscope. Visitors to the show are exposed to flashing lights and visual patterns that could trigger seizures.

Regie: Timothy de Gilde
Concept: Anne-Fay Kops en Felix Kops
Tekst: Bodil de la Parra
Spel en zang: Anne-Fay Kops
Vormgeving: Felix Kops