An Indo found in Brisbane Australia. Dewi Suurland tells about her identity experiences and what ‘home’ means to her. ‘We all have a sense of belonging’.
When a traveled by train to her parents address she picked my up at the train station. I was waiting on the wrong side of the station. I immediately saw the batik she was wearing. At their house, I was welcomed by a nice Indo meal her mother and father prepared for me because her mother insisted I came for lunch. It was Saté kambing if I remember correctly. But it was delicious nonetheless.
Although she is the only Indo with her family in the wide area. Her awareness of her identity is very strong. Knowing very well her family history and the ties she has with Holland. Both her parents came to Australia in the late 80ties, because the were inspired to make themselves a new future.
Go see her interesting interview in the video.
ps: If you would like to donate a small amount for this project. I am planning to print this book for as much copies I can. Every dollar helps. If more than 27 dollars or euro you can even pick up a book! check Hoezoindo.nl for more info. Terima kasih!
Hi Dewi,
I really recognize the feelings you describe, and your concerns about the stories that should be kept alive. My father was born in 1941 in Yogyakarta, so the war, the repatriation to the Netherlands…. for us it is still ‘close’. I feel an urge to share these stories…… as his generation and the generation before didn’t. As you mentioned, where are the films, the documentaries? There is one one man show that reflects the sentiment quite well, which is a story told by Diederik van Vleuten: ‘ Daar werd wat groots verricht’. He gives a voice to a generation that was to modest to speak about themselves. It is put on DVD and it warmed my heart when I saw it. Also gave it as a present to my father. Nice to meet you via this project
Hi dearest cousin Dewi, to see and here you
Make me cry, i’m very proud of you,
To tell the story about us, Hoezo Indo.
You gave us a warm and impressive, above all true story, of our indo heritage. I’m so proud of you and thanks you for passing on and sharing our culture.