TITLE: Centennial Wall
YEAR: 2014
LOCATION: Moengo Suriname
BUDGET: 500

The trauma is obvious: Moengo has turned from a flourishing town, the most beautiful of Suriname, into a place where nobody wants to go. Facilities are closed, jobs disappeared, social cohesion torn.
One of the reasons is the civil war of 1986, the battle between former army leader Bouterse and "rebel leader" Ronnie Brunswijk. Everybody is a victim, some also perpetrators, some sympathizer. Bullet holes are still in the walls. People are walking around with psychological problems. The war is an open wound. Although still visible everywhere there is no monument to the fallen, nowhere a plaque commemorating the event. even the year 1986 is nowhere to be seen.
We notice that people do not talk about the past. This may lie in the presence of Ronnie Brunswijk in Moengo. The former 'rebel leader' is rich and powerful and has a villa here. One can go there to ask for a favor. Social security is very limited in Suriname. Patronage is the way out.

The plan for the mural comes from the desire simply to put that number, 1986, into public space. We quickly realize that knowledge of history is lacking in general. Most residents are newcomers after the war and know nothing of Moengo and its history. It makes sense to show the complete story of Moengo, rather than making an artistic political statement. But we are white and outsider. Modesty is called for.
But what is the right location?
A 150-meter long wall with worn old commercials is a testament of the current demise. The old advertisement for the municipal swimming pool behind the wall is typical. This communal facility was destroyed during the civil war. Attempts by some residents to recover it were sabotaged by others. The wall symbolizes for us the deadlock.
The starting point for the mural is "Moengo 1916 -2016: 100 years company town." We will note years and events that changed Moengo. Not as a straight line of dates, which would suggest a completeness or some sort of official hand. The style is loose, ad hoc or simply decorative. Not artistic. It suggests that you could still add something. Parts of the old signs are restored again but get new connotations together with the dates.
The last parts are about the present. We want to accommodate current cultural events. We invite local initiatives to add their names to the mural. Initiatives such T.A.S and festivals are also part of the collective memory.
The painting on the wall is a social event. Because it is the only main road everybody in Moengo passes it. Everyone loves it. Beautiful. Some come to help with painting. Others want to tell their story. Or correct the content.
There is a lot of confusion about why not the whole wall was first painted white. Surely the mural would come out much better. When we explain that the state of the wall is already history they understand. "Of course, if you look it in that way..."
Also 1986 on the wall. In a subtle way. Nobody takes offense.

---

---

SELF RELIANCE "is a brand insurance. It fits nicely with what is needed now to keep Moengo livable.

De muur in wording

HAPPYLAND is situated on the other side of the river. It dates from the time that you could not spend the night in Moengo if you were not employed by ALCOA. Maroons had to leave at dusk for HAPPYLAND.

FOCUS: introduction of history in public space

POSITION: Principal author

DURATION: 3 weeks

PROCESS: author / participatory

IMPLEMENTATION:
design, the project outline and night, during the day painting,
constantly communicating

RESULT:
- mural
- first memorial
- tourist spot

stories and facts are added by local experts

these guys are helping every day. Soon they teach other children how to create murals.

Local initiatives can add themselves to the history, this is Little Star, a group making music, and theater

The coup, December murders, civil war

the girls find it: great, beautiful

oude reclames weer opgehaald

1975 is the year of Surinam's independence.

Tourists also use the mural. When we provide information about the history of Moengo a group Belgian tourists interrupt us impatiently: Yes, we already know that! We've read on that wall.

Declaring the centenary, centennial, opens up opportunities for sponsorship of the parent company ALCOA.
Little did we know! The company pulled out of Suriname just before 2016.

BART STUART & KLAAR VAN DER LIPPE

CENTENNIAL WALL