by Steven Seedo
PARAMARIBO — “I don’t think I’ll ever surpass that. And I don’t have to. When the song came out, I never dreamed that it would still be so popular 26 years later.” This is what actress, theater maker and singer Manoushka Zeegelaar-Breeveld says about the song ‘Mi Mooi Switi Kondre’ the True Time.
The song is part of the soundtrack of the theater production ‘De Koningin van Paramaribo’ (the fallen woman does not exist), based on the novel of the same name by the late Clark Accord. “There are people who sing it – and very beautifully by the way – who were not even born at the time. I think that is perhaps the most beautiful thing. The song remains popular and proves that good music is timeless. The reactions of the audience show that the love for this song is still very much alive.”
“I hope that through these songs people will continue to see and appreciate the beauty and good things of Suriname”
Working together on Suriname
The song, written by Jenny Mijnhijmer, still evokes strong emotions in Zeegelaar-Breeveld. “Precisely because I no longer live in Suriname, but Suriname is always deep in my heart. When I sing the last sentence: ‘I promise that I will never leave you’, I often add: not in my head and not in my heart.”
According to her, the song ‘Bruya Kondre’, also from the soundtrack of the performance, also has an important message. “It was mainly about youth and the opportunities they should be given to develop and develop. It is actually a call for the government to provide this: good education, art and culture and talent development. That was true in the play at the time, but it still applies today.”
The performance, in which Zeegelaar-Breeveld played with Helen Kamperveen and Jetty Mathurin, also conveyed a special message about the strength of Surinamese women. According to her, the central message remains current: working together on Suriname, wherever Surinamese are in the world. “Without being afraid to name what is not going well. Only then can you do something about it. At the same time, I hope that through these songs people will continue to see and appreciate the beauty and good things of Suriname.”
Nomination for theater prize
Zeegelaar-Breeveld has been nominated for the prestigious Theo d’Or, an important theater award in the Netherlands, for her portrayal of Maria Theresia in the performance ‘Mother of Europe’. “I have actually already won. The fact that everyone is happy for me and gives me this prize feels like the greatest reward. The recognition from the jury, my colleagues and the audience is already a celebration for me.” The winners of the Theo d’Or prizes will be announced during the Dutch Theater Festival, which takes place from 3 to 13 September.
Zeegelaar-Breeveld hopes to shoot her first feature film ‘Hotel Paramaribo’ in Suriname next year. The screenplay was written by her and is being developed in collaboration with producers from the Netherlands. “We are currently waiting for the outcome of the financing application from the Film Fund. We are always looking for money, because film is a costly undertaking and many pigs make the swill thin. But we have good hope and hope – and hard work – alive,” she concludes.
