The limited purpose of the anthology excludes specimens of the Dutch literature
of Surinam, which has become more important during the last ten years. Before
that there was only one Creole author, Albert Helman
(pseudonym of Lou Lichtveld), who considered himself
more a Dutch author with a Creole background. In a poetry contest in 1960, it
was quite clear that the Dutch poems by Surinam authors represented a markedly
lower level of accomplishment than their Creole poems. The situation has since
changed. Johan Ferrier and Bea
Vianen have published remarkable novels in Dutch and have found Dutch
editors sufficiently interested to publish their work. Another group of authors
working and living in Surinam publish in Dutch and in Creole or in a sort of
local Dutch. They wish to publish and distribute their work locally, and it is
rather difficult to obtain it outside Surinam. They employ quite original
marketing techniques, selling their products on street corners and attracting
customers with a local band. They also recite their works in schools and at
public meetings. In this way they try to keep in touch with their own people.
One of the most productive authors of this group, which is named after its
periodical, Moetete, is Dobru,
pseudonym of Robin Ravales.
The Moetete group has more than local interest. The most serious problem of the
Caribbean writer using a European language seems to be that he is often more
appreciated and read in Europe than in his home country, which is also the case
with African writers. He constantly faces the threat of losing contact with his
audience. The use of local idioms is subconsciously screened by European
editorial policies. Publishing in Surinam means that one has to be satisfied
with reaching a small audience. Every author publishing in Surinam, and
especially one who writes in Creole, knows beforehand that his work will be sold
only on a very small scale.
The editors of this volume have different backgrounds, which is sometimes
revealed by the way their opinions are formulated in different chapters. Ursy M. Lichtveld, a Surinam Creole, composed chapter 5
and had a prominent part in the composition of chapter 9. Jan Voorhoeve, who is Dutch, wrote the introduction and prepared the
first three chapters, using much firsthand material which he taped in Surinam in
close cooperation with H.C. van Renselaar. Vernie A. February, born in South Africa, is
responsible for the translations of the texts, which also means that he took
part in their interpretation. These three names are mentioned on the title page,
indicating that they share responsibility for the entire work.
We wish to acknowledge the help of many others. Richard Price
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