Naturalis opens exhibition 'The forest of Suriname'

On November 25, 1975, Suriname became an independent republic. Naturalis is using this 50th anniversary to honor Suriname's natural environment with an exhibition, events, and educational activities titled The forest of Suriname. The exhibition is suitable for families with children ages 8 and up. Visitors wander among the roots of the kankantri (Ceiba pentandra) and hear the stories of all the forest's inhabitants. Feel the fighting spirit of the 'tigri' and transform into a jaguar, leap across the water on the back of a caiman, and try to further the wisdom of the spider Anansi. The exhibition is open to museum visitors from Saturday, October 11, to Sunday, February 28, 2027.

Photo exhibition Fourteen leaves and a cup of water

Michelle Piergoelam (Rotterdam, 1997) is an art photographer who creates visual stories based on cultural myths, history and memories. Piergoelam has photographed Surinamese plants, which are displayed alongside the Surinamese botanical collection at Naturalis in the gallery LiveScience. Fourteen leaves and a cup of water can be visited until May 31, 2026. LiveScience is free of charge.

Broader perspective

In Suriname, Indigenous people and Maroons have a special bond with the forest. For them, nature is animated and imbued with meaning. For Naturalis, an institute rooted in the Western scientific tradition, this is an important perspective: nature is more than a collection of species organized into a taxonomy. The exhibitions and programming are an inspiring plea for a broader way of seeing, feeling, and living. Because preserving our biodiversity begins with the recognition: nature lives, and we live with it.