United Spirit 2024: Family
Family is the theme for 2024’s United Spirit collaboration between KLABU and Filling Pieces. Join us across generations to celebrate Keti Koti and support the clubhouse we're building together in Suriname, where sports, culture and arts can thrive.
Family represents unity, the reflection of heritage, the upholding of traditions, and the creation of new ones.
The celebration of family holds significant importance in Surinamese culture as it serves as a moment to pay respect to the past and welcome the future. Suriname's heritage is intertwined with a history of forced migration and slavery, the abolition of which is commemorated by Keti Koti, meaning ‘broken chains’ in Sranantongo.
Today, Suriname is a cultural melting pot where the family unit serves as an incredibly important and solid reference. Each generation passes on knowledge, faces challenges, and stands together against oppression, striving for freedom and existence. The 'United Spirit' collaboration explores these themes, encouraging a journey of self-exploration and honouring one's roots.
"As the son of Surinamese parents, reconnecting with the land of my heritage has been incredibly meaningful. It's a journey of rediscovery, a celebration of my roots, and a testament to the power of cultural unity. Our Filling Pieces ethos is always to 'Bridge The Gap'—to transcend boundaries and bring people together through our creations."
Danielle van Grondelle with her mother and grandmother
Eljero Elia with his son
The second year of the collaboration between KLABU and Filling Pieces brings us closer to our main goal: building a clubhouse in Suriname that will provide support for local children and their families through sports, art, and education.
The collaboration started in 2023 during the 150th annual celebration of Keti Koti, where many of you supported us by purchasing the specially designed 'United Spirit' shirt. Shortly after Keti Koti 2023, we reached out to Community Tennis Suriname in the Commewijne district. This grassroots tennis club offers local children aged 6-18 the chance to engage in various sports and creative activities.
In 2024, we began implementing a diverse and creative sports and play program at Community Tennis Suriname, with the goal of empowering 6,000 children over the next five years. While we are still seeking support to establish and launch the clubhouse in 2025, the impact of the partnership has already started: the proceeds from last year's shirt sales have funded art and design workshops as well as some of the initial phase activities of the project.
Read More
Unity: Filling Pieces and KLABU as family
Dolores Leeuwin and father
KLABU and Filling Pieces invite everyone to both celebrate Keti Koti and support the Suriname Spirit project, by wearing the ‘United Spirit: Family’ capsule collection. Adult and kids shirts, plus a coach jacket are now available online and through our respective stores.
Join us on this journey as we bridge the gap between past and present, tradition and innovation. Together, let's inspire a world where unity and diversity thrive side by side. Last year we sold out the capsule collection within hours, so make sure to get your hands on yours this year.
Join the United Spirit
