Elena Beelaerts van Blokland

Elena Beelaerts van Blokland is a Dutch artist and author who recently gained attention for her exploration of her family's connection to the history of slavery in Suriname. After discovering her ancestry linked to Theodore Bray, a plantation owner and slaveholder, she delved into his legacy and documented her findings in her book 'Ach Freule: op zoek naar de plantagehouder in mijn familie'. Through her work, she seeks to confront the uncomfortable truths of her heritage and encourage others to engage in discussions about the painful history of slavery.