In an ambitious project, House Of Narrative worked on communications and content with organization Sites of Memory, on performance "Returning the Gaze". This initiative involved a series of three site-specific performances aimed at uncovering and sharing local, underrepresented stories about the colonial past of Haarlem, Amsterdam, and Middelburg. Through a blend of music and dance, poetry and images, these performances posed critical questions: Whose voice is heard, ignored, or acknowledged? Whose face is seen, erased, and covered up? They spotlighted the dominant, often white gaze versus the suppressed perspectives from which colonial history is viewed.

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In 2022, the evocative performance series "Returning the Gaze" took to three cities in the Netherlands—Middelburg, Amsterdam, and Haarlem—to confront and reinterpret colonial histories through a unique blend of art and narrative. This initiative provided a platform for stories that have been marginalized, forgotten, or overlooked, employing the arts to question and reflect on the past's influence on present and future societies. The performance stood a testament to the power of narrative, art, and collective memory in challenging and redefining our understanding of history. Audiences were invited to confront and reflect on the complexities of our shared past, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy for the many voices and stories that have shaped our world. It was led by a talented team of concept and artistic directors, makers, performers, and researchers, including Jennifer Tosch, Katy Streek, and the performers Jomecia Oosterwolde, Jörgen Gario, Shishani, and Judith Westerveld among others.

Here's a closer look at how each city contributed to this powerful exploration of history and identity. In Middelburg, the performance transported audiences back to November 1596, offering a poignant glimpse into a grim chapter of history. Spectators were confronted with the story of African men, women, and children who, after being displayed on the Abdijplein, experienced a fleeting moment of freedom as baptized Christians before being re-enslaved and sold in the West Indies. This performance delved into the profound and lasting impacts of these events on the city's residents, challenging viewers to contemplate the historical and generational ramifications of such acts. Amsterdam's performance provided a stark contrast, guiding spectators through a walking tour that juxtaposed the city's apparent wealth and opulence against its deep-rooted colonial undertones. By focusing on the city's museums, their collections, and the histories of the buildings themselves, this act explored the origins of wealth and power and the lasting benefits reaped by certain families at the expense of others. It was a reflective journey that questioned the distribution and morality of wealth accrued through colonial exploits. Haarlem offered a more intimate narrative through the life story of Susanna Dumion, a woman born into slavery in Suriname who lived until the age of 105 in Haarlem. This performance delved into the complexities of racial identity, memory, and the recognition of historical figures. By highlighting Susanna's experience, "Returning the Gaze" invited audiences to reflect on the personal and collective memory and how history chooses to remember or forget individuals based on race and background.

The project was supported by the research from the Mapping Slavery Project and creative inputs from numerous artists and performers, made "Returning the Gaze" a poignant, reflective journey through the untold stories of colonial history. Amazing feature of the project was the installation of 130 portraits in Middelburg, representing the anonymous African individuals exhibited in 1596. This artistic endeavor utilized silhouettes and sona ideographs to individualize each portrait, blending them with a background of stars and framed by healing plants to symbolize uniqueness and memory. Furthermore, the project unveiled thirteen portraits on fabric by Judith Westerveld, celebrating women of color from Amsterdam's colonial past. These portraits, framed by healing plants, aimed to rightfully place these women within the historical narrative, challenging the dominant narratives of the time.

House Of Narrative was the marketing partner of Sites of Memory throughout the project and handled content production, social media management, and PR for the project, amplifying its impact and reach. The efforts ensured that the powerful messages of "Returning the Gaze" reached a wider audience, engaging people in a dialogue about our shared history and its impacts on the present and future. The project was made possible through collaborations with esteemed institutions and initiatives such as the Amsterdam Museum, Mapping Slavery Project, DOX, and Poetry Circle Nowhere. The Amsterdam performance, in particular, received generous support from various funds and organizations, including the VSBfonds, VriendenLoterij Fonds, Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst, Provincie Noord-Holland, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Noord-Holland, and Norma Fonds.