Amsterdam, November 2024 – The decolonial novel Witte Mensen by Dutch-Brazilian writer Leeuw van Moerkerken is one of the literary resources which aims to make a contribution, in the tradition of Humanism to the ongoing debate on (neo-)colonialism in contemporary developments in 21st century West Africa. It is also a contribution, as a reflective reading resource for students, to Global Citizenship, one of the three elements of EURIDICE’s societal focus.
This novel (first published by Pangea Amsterdam in 2024) follows the story of Lynx, a nineteen-year-old who reflects on the events leading up to his captivity by terrorists in Mali. The narrative offers a glimpse into the lives of expatriates in a war-torn African country, where privilege and excess often overshadow the harsh realities surrounding them. Themes of trauma, truth, and the lingering consequences of colonial arrogance are central to this psychological novel, which invites readers to confront complex moral questions.
The Portuguese translation – made available through EURIDICE – marks the novel’s first step to a broad international readership, with its recent editions poised to reach a wide audience in Europe, Africa and beyond. While not widely known, White People offers an introspective and thought-provoking exploration of personal and societal challenges that may resonate with readers seeking stories that push conventional boundaries.
Leeuw van Moerkerken (Amsterdam, 1999) gained attention with his debut novel Kapotspelen at the age of seventeen. With a background in psychology and interdisciplinary social sciences, he later pursued a career in filmmaking, working on projects in Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Malaysia. His creative endeavors extend to music videos, including the satirical track 45k (Studieschuld) and the award-winning psychedelic video Habitat.
Witte Mensen is available in Dutch and Portuguese. English and French language editions are expected in 2025.