Kelapa Muda | Try-out

Moluccan community in Venlo In 2026, it will be 75 years since the first Moluccans arrived in the Netherlands. Something that was meant to be temporary became a permanent history. Venlo also carries this history with it, with many Moluccan families living in Greater Venlo from 1953 onwards. Through resilience, the community has managed to hold its own. The stories passed on from generation to generation make this performance extra close.

Kelapa Muda Kelapa Muda means young coconut in Malay. A symbol of strength from within: hard on the outside, soft and nutritious on the inside. Those who break through the bark of the Moluccan community discover a world of beauty and resilience. Three theatre-makers of Moluccan descent - Joenoes Polnaija, Tara Hetharia and Jefta Tanate - delve into their personal family histories and together show the richness and struggle of 75 years of Moluccan history in the Netherlands.

With Joenoes' family, suitcases were always ready, as the family would one day return to the Moluccas. Joenoes wants his own children to know: we also belong here, in the Netherlands. So that they can really take root. Tara grew up with few stories about her Moluccan ancestors. When she explores, she discovers that she is more connected to her Moluccan roots than she knew. Jefta has one foot in the Dutch and one in the Moluccan community. In both, he feels at home but sometimes misunderstood. Loving, curious and critical, this third generation examines itself and the past in order to consciously look to the future. Kelapa Muda is a connecting performance full of music, rituals and movement about what it means to be Moluccan now in the Netherlands.

This show will feature a free pre-show at 19:15. Please do order free tickets. Then we know you will be there!