On October 1, 2025, the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures hosted the 25th De Vries–Van der Kooy Memorial Lecture at the Michigan League. This year’s event marked a special milestone as the department celebrated the 50th anniversary of Suriname’s independence (Srefidensi).
Dr. Shanti Venetiaan, President of the Board of Anton de Kom University of Suriname, delivered a compelling lecture titled “Suriname 50 Years Srefidensi: Journey of a Small Multi-ethnic Nation.” Her address explored Suriname’s path to independence, the complexities of its multicultural identity, and the work of building a democratic and inclusive society.
The De Vries–Van der Kooy Memorial Lecture series honors the legacy of Jan de Vries and Meindert van der Kooy, in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to advancing the study of the language and culture of the Low Countries.
Watch the full lecture here.
