The Alakrondre Dragon Girl
A book by Kit-ling Tjon Pian Gi
Welcome October!
In Suriname, the month of October usually means the start of the new school year. For my family, this month started with some extra milestones. This week, my son finally joined his sister in going to school, starting off in kindergarten, while my daughter is now enjoying her lessons in a classroom on the school's top floor, official making her part of the 'old guard'. To top things off, my wife also started a new challenge, so today I'm the only one going to the exact same place as last October.
The big news however came this Saturday. In a jam-packed room at the Readytex Art Gallery, my mother Kit-ling officially presented her book 'The Alakondre Dragon Girl' (Het Alakondre Drakenmeisje). As much as I like to consider myself a creator, as an award winning visual artist, the true creator on our family has always been her. This year, both of my parents and I announced we had book plans. And she is the first to pull it off.
It wasn't easy however…
The journey of the book started off 15 years ago. But 3 major circumstances in her life has helped to make this book a reality:
1. In 2016 actress, entertainer and philosopher Alida Neslo took the lead to approach multiple Surinamese artists to start using the ‘Alakondre’ philosophy to Brand Suriname.
'Alakondre', literally translated meaning 'All countries' in English, incapsulates different cultures as a form of being complete, universal and all-encompassing. It forms a cornerstone of the Surinamese society, a diverse society existing of Indian, Maroon, Creole, Javanese, Indigenous, Chinese, European and many multiracial backgrounds and cultures. The most well know form in ‘Alakondre’ culture is probably the poem 'Wan Bon' by Surinamese cult legend and poet Dobru who made the description of our multi-culturality through the symbolization of the structure of a tree.
2. Kit-ling noted that she finally met the main character of the book Darey Ann in person.
The book tells the story of Darey Ann, a girl living in Suriname who loves to travel and experiences a lot of cultures related to Surinamese society. One of the first questions that was even asked to me was wether or not the book is an autobiography of Kit-ling herself. She laughed and said that it is not an autobiography, but that you would have to read the book to figure out wether Darey Ann is based on a real person or just a symbolization of her life's work. From a personal experience growing up in her shadow, it isn't a weird question. My mother has always been invested in the roots of Surinamese culture and has spend countless hours studying and practicing different cultural traditions.
3. An 'Alakondre krutu' held by the Readytex Art Gallery.
Throughout Kit-ling's career, the Readytex Art Gallery (and its owner Monique Nouh Chaia) has been one of the biggest drivers and contributors in the Surinamese art scene, but also to her art career. On Saturday, the presentation room at the Art Gallery was completely curated with artworks from different time periodes of Kit-ling's career. Including a selection of the 'One can make a difference' collection, a personally for me underrated collection of schoolchildren featured on mixed media works on paper.
The first reviews of the book were positive. The styling and artistic look are very well done. But more importantly, my mother had a clear message (as partly inspired by her grandchildren), to spread the word of the power of ‘Alakondre’ among children, the future of Suriname. To use diversity as a strength in the though times we live in.
That's why she connected the book launch to an educational program which will be rolled out this school year. With the Minister of Education Marie Levens and Deputy Director of Culture Clifton Braam in attendance, Kit-ling explained that different sponsors have donated the books to schools in Suriname, with the goal to have the book available in every school in the country, from Paramaribo to Atjoni. In November the educational program will continue with an exhibition, with public reading days every Saturday.
The book launch for me personally meant a lot. I often get compared to my father because of the entrepreneurial mindset and my gestures and posture which in some ways copies him, but when it comes to creation, my mother is the one I look up to the most. I just like I wanted to become an artist, my daughter now feels the same way.
Once again... I'm a proud son.
#lobi
@jeanlucsr
P.s.
Sponsor a book or Pre-order 'Het Alakondre Drakenmeisje' » here «
The book can also be bought at ReadyTex Art Gallery.
Books are now only available in Dutch, but feel free to reach out and receive info on the release of the English version.
Check out my mother’s website at kitlingtjonpiangi.net (which she built herself)