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VOInews, Jakarta: Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi said Suriname is a country with the most Javanese population in the South America and Caribbean region. According to him, the Javanese population has built a culture in Surinamese society, including a culture of hard work and mutual cooperation.

"People of Javanese descent also have a role in strengthening economic, social, cultural, religious, artistic, sports, and political development in Suriname," he said in a speech at the 133rd anniversary of the migration of Javanese people to Suriname, at the Sana Budaya building, Josef Israel Straat, Paramaribo, Tuesday (8/8), as conveyed by the Indonesian Embassy in Paramaribo in an official statement received on Thursday (10/8).

Furthermore, he said Suriname is a country consisting of various ethnicities, languages, and religions. He also advised Surinamese citizens of Javanese descent to continue working and contributing to the development and progress of Suriname.

Besides being attended by the President of Suriname, the 133rd Anniversary of Javanese Migration to Suriname was also attended by Minister of Education Science and Culture Henry Ori, community leaders of Javanese descent, and the Suriname Javanese Community Association.

At the commemoration organized by the association of Javanese descendants in Suriname, known as Vereniging Herdenking Javaanse Immigratie (VHJI), the book 133 Jaar Jawa Suriname was also launched.

"This book contains essays about the life of Javanese descendants in Suriname," wrote the Indonesian Embassy.

The book is part of the Grant Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Suriname for the Welfare of Surinamese People of Indonesian Descent in 2021 through VHJI, worth USD100,000.

"In addition to the documentation center located in the Sana Budaya building area, the Sana Budaya Building itself is an assistance from the Government of Indonesia which was inaugurated by former President Soeharto on October 28, 1995," wrote the Indonesian Embassy in Paramaribo.

In his remarks, Indonesian Ambassador Julang Pujianto expressed his highest appreciation to the Javanese community in Suriname, especially VHJI, which has helped preserve Javanese culture and traditions. He also expressed his commitment to continue strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Suriname.

In addition to the book launch, a wreath was also laid at the Sana Budaya gunungan monument. The wreaths were laid by the President of the Republic of Suriname, the Minister of Education Science and Culture of the Republic of Suriname, the Indonesian Ambassador to Suriname, and the Chairman of VHJI.

"The VHJI also organized a night market selling traditional Javanese food, batik clothes, and other accessories nuanced with Indonesian Javanese traditions," the Indonesian Embassy wrote.

There were at least 32,956 Javanese residents who came to Suriname in the period 1890-1939. The first wave of Javanese arrivals to Suriname was on August 9, 1890. Therefore, people of Javanese descent in Suriname always remember and commemorate August 9, 2023 as the day of Javanese migration to Suriname. (VOI/Andy)