Poortstage aims to connect Surinamese music industry with international market

According to Janssen, Poortstage focuses primarily on building a sustainable structure for music exports. Organising performances is not central to this. The platform is intended to become a point of contact for artists and professionals from Suriname seeking connections with the Dutch and other international music markets.

“Suriname has its own musical identity, history and a great deal of talent. The challenge is to connect these qualities with the professional infrastructure of the international music industry,” Janssen says.

Within Poortstage, the SME Hub will be linked, according to Janssen, to, among others, the Dutch Music Export Hub, the Canadian Music Export Hub and the American Music Export Hub. In doing so, he aims both to promote international contacts and contribute to the development of the music industry in Suriname.

Preparation and market knowledge

According to Janssen, music export does not begin with an airline ticket or visa application. Professional preparation, clear positioning and knowledge of the international market are at least as important.

According to him, artists and other music professionals must know how the sector works, how they can position their repertoire and music publishing rights, and which business partners are relevant to them. Education and knowledge exchange will therefore have an important place in the approach.

“Views on YouTube or streams on Spotify alone are not enough for a sound infrastructure,” Janssen said. According to him, talent must be linked to knowledge and an appropriate professional network.

The Netherlands is regarded as an important first market. According to Janssen, the historical, cultural and business ties make the country a logical gateway to Europe. Through Dutch networks, contacts can be made with, among others, managers, booking agents, record labels, music publishers, songwriters and media outlets.

Embassy sees role in establishing contacts

The Surinamese embassy in the Netherlands also sees opportunities to support the international development of Surinamese music. Ambassador Ricardo Panka stresses that culture is a connecting factor between the two countries. According to him, music can also fulfil a diplomatic and economic role.

The embassy can help establish contacts, facilitate introductions and draw the attention of Dutch and international organisations to Surinamese talent. Panka sees particular opportunities to connect artists and music professionals with relevant partners.

According to him, the SME Hub and the embassy can complement each other. The hub contributes knowledge of the artists and the music industry, while the embassy has access to diplomatic and institutional networks.

A possible first step is a meeting in the Netherlands where Surinamese artists, managers and other music professionals can become acquainted with Dutch sector representatives. Panka also mentions artist presentations, knowledge exchange and mentoring a select group of artists as possible components of a structured programme.

Sustainable cooperation

Janssen says he is in talks with various parties about the further development of the platform. This also includes exploring cooperation with government bodies and international partners.

Poortstage aims to identify who is active within the Surinamese music industry and what knowledge, support and contacts they need. According to Janssen, this approach must prevent international positioning from being limited to isolated activities.

He calls on Surinamese artists and music professionals to prepare professionally and broaden their networks. At the same time, he asks Dutch and international parties to also see Suriname as a source of talent, creativity and business cooperation.

According to Janssen, the ultimate goal is to develop both artists and the broader Surinamese music industry internationally, while preserving their own musical identity.