Kelapa Muda Joenoes Polnaija, Tara Hetharia & Jefta Tanate

Kelapa Muda means young coconut in Malay. A symbol of strength from within. Hard on the outside, soft and nutritious on the inside. Just like the Moluccan community. Anyone who breaks through their wall discovers a culture of beauty, connection and courage. Three theatre makers of Moluccan descent, Joenoes Polnaija, Tara Hetharia and Jefta Tanate, discover their family stories. Together, they bring 75 years of Moluccan history in the Netherlands to life.

In Joenoes’ family, the suitcases were packed every day. One day, they would return to the Moluccas. Joenoes wants to pass on to his children that they also belong here, in the Netherlands. Tara grew up with few stories about her Moluccan ancestors. After her own research, she discovers more connection with her Moluccan roots than she knew herself. Jefta feels at home in both the Dutch and the Moluccan community, but sometimes feels misunderstood in both.

Loving, curious and critical, this third generation examines themselves and the past in order to consciously focus on the future. Kelapa Muda is a connecting performance full of music, rituals and movement about the question of what it means to be Moluccan in the Netherlands today.