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Transcription: [00:33:00]
[[music example continues]]

[00:33:21]
[[music as underscore]] The entire dance is symbolic. Here the story tells of the eternal struggle between good and evil.

[00:33:28]
The dancer who represents 'good' is wearing wings. The arrows denote the forces of evil - sharp and destructive.

[00:33:36]
But as in many stories, and in real life too, the faith and hope of people everywhere is that 'good' will triumph as it does in this dance. [[music as outro]]

[00:33:58]
The biggest day of the whole year in Suriname is Freedom Day.

[00:34:02]
Celebrated every July 1st to commemorate the July 1st of 1863 when slavery was officially abolished, this joyful event is marked by a variety of activities - one of them being a boat race between two teams of the best rowers.

[00:34:18]
Crowds are here to cheer on their favorite team, in fact a good place to see from is hard to find, so even the tree tops are filled.

[00:34:28]
Also in Government Square - as soon as the boat race is over, various games and contests for the children are held.

[00:34:35]
Unlike our school year, the children here go to school during the summer months and have what they call their "big vacation" in September - the hottest month of the year when the temperature and humidity is well up in the 90s, so this is a big day for them, what with no school and these special games arranged for them.

[00:34:58]
Education in Suriname is compulsory for those between ages of seven to twelve. After that those who wish, and who are able to pass the entrance exams, may continue on through what is comparable to our high school. Most of the children do go on.

[00:35:14]
As for college, the majority of the students in the past have preferred going to Holland - but recently many have been coming here to the United States, too.