Marek Susdorf Appointed Helstone Fonds Fellow at Allard Pierson Museum, Amsterdam
The Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam has announced Dr. Marek Susdorf as the recipient of the new Helstone Fonds Fellowship. This appointment marks a significant step for the museum's research initiatives, particularly focusing on the rich cultural history of Suriname and the broader context of Dutch colonialism through the lens of music.
Uncovering Surinamese Musical Heritage in Amsterdam
Dr. Susdorf brings a strong academic background to this role. In 2022, he completed his dissertation, "Musicolonialism in Suriname. Sonic Contributions to the Construction of the Category of the Human and Its Others," at the University of Oslo. His research methodology combines in-depth archival investigation with theoretical frameworks from cultural materiality and postcolonial music analysis. His previous contributions have appeared in scholarly journals such as Ethnomusicology and Popular Music and Society, and he was recognized with the IASPM-Norden Early Career Scholar Prize.
As a Helstone Fonds Fellow, Dr. Susdorf will delve into the extensive collections of the Allard Pierson, examining how music intertwined with the power dynamics of Dutch colonialism. His study will not only focus on the compositions and personal archives of Johannes Nicolaas Helstone but also explore wider socio-economic changes in Suriname between 1863 and 1945. The fellowship is expected to culminate in a concise, richly illustrated, and theoretically grounded publication that contextualizes Helstone's life and work within a broader colonial and musical landscape. The museum anticipates his insights will deepen the historical and cultural understanding of music's role in Surinamese society.
This research opportunity is made possible by the recently established Named Fund of Astrid Helstone and Diederik Burgersdijk at the Allard Pierson. The fund is dedicated to supporting research into the museum's unique Helstone and Surinamica collections, aiming to illuminate underrepresented musical and cultural histories. The archives pertinent to Johannes Nicolaas Helstone, which include sheet music, manuscripts, postcards, and letters, were transferred to the Allard Pierson in 2023. Parts of this collection were previously featured in the exhibition "Johannes N. Helstone – Suriname in Motion," which ran until September 2024.
This new fellowship underscores the Allard Pierson Museum's commitment to exploring diverse cultural narratives and making its vast collections accessible for critical research. Visitors interested in the intersection of music, history, and colonial studies can explore the museum's offerings. To discover more about cultural spots and historical sites in the city, browse museums in Amsterdam or explore the map on Musemap (musemap.art).
