Standing here, facing this monument, do you feel the echoes of a literary revolution? This is Trefossa. He was more than just a poet. Trefossa was a cultural force.
Trefossa, whose real name was Henri Frans de Ziel, was born in Paramaribo in 1916. He passed away in the Netherlands in 1975. He was a Surinamese poet and Surinamist. He used his pen to elevate the Sranan Tongo language.
Before Trefossa, Sranan Tongo was often seen as a primitive tongue. It was discouraged in schools and homes. Trefossa proved its poetic potential. He showed everyone that Sranan could be a language of subtlety and beauty.
In 1949, Trefossa’s poem “Bro” appeared in the magazine Foetoeboi. From 1953 to 1956, he lived in the Netherlands with a Sticusa grant. In 1957, his collection Trotji was published. This collection demonstrated the beauty of the Sranan language. Many followed his inspiring example.
Trefossa’s work inspired many. Corly Verlooghen and Johanna Schouten-Elsenhout were among them. Yet few could match the subtlety of his verse. Trefossa preferred dreams and reflection to conflict. Back in Suriname, he was part of the editorial teams for Tongoni and Soela magazines. He briefly directed the Cultural Center Suriname CCS.
Perhaps Trefossa’s most enduring legacy is his contribution to Suriname’s national anthem. He wrote the Sranan Tongo stanzas of “God zij met ons Suriname”. The government unanimously approved his anthem in 1959. His words unite the nation.
But Trefossa’s influence extends beyond the anthem. He coined the term “srefidensi” meaning independence. This creation shows his profound impact on Surinamese identity.
After his death, Trefossa’s contributions were not forgotten. In 2005, this monument was unveiled on Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat in Paramaribo. Later, the monument was moved to Kleine Combéweg near the Independence Square. It holds the ashes of Trefossa and his wife Hulda Walser.
The Henri Frans de Ziel Foundation keeps his legacy alive. Every year, on Trefossa’s birthday January 15th, a lecture is held in Paramaribo. Every two years, the Henri Frans de Ziel Cultuurprijs is awarded. It goes to writers and poets who have made exceptional contributions.
Standing here at the Trefossa monument, remember his words. Remember his dedication to language and culture. Remember the power of poetry to shape a nation’s soul. Trefossa’s legacy endures.