Edgar Cairo
hij/hem1948 – 2000
The Surinamese virtuoso of language and social critic Edgar Cairo discovered in words – and later on canvas – the ultimate freedom of self-definition. As a student in 1969, Caïro took part in the first demonstration for “gay rights” in the Netherlands.
Photo credits
“Edgar Caïro”
Year: 1982
Collection: Anefo, Nationaal Archief
Photographer: Rob Bogaerts
“De Surinaamse dichter Edgar Cairo op de anti-racismedag in het Oosterpark”
Year: 1984
Collection: Amsterdams Stadsblad, Amsterdam City Archives
Photographer: Frans Busselman
“Dat boelgedicht”
Year: 1980
Collection: IHLIA LGBTI Heritage
Author: Edgar Caïro
“Homo demonstratie/Afschaffing 248bis”
Year: 1968
Collection: Anefo, National Archives
Photographer: Jac. de Nijs
Book cover “Temekoe”
Year: 1969
Collection: Literatuurmuseum
The Surinamese virtuoso of language and social critic Edgar Cairo discovered in words – and later on canvas – the ultimate freedom of self-definition. As a student in 1969, Caïro took part in the first demonstration for “gay rights” in the Netherlands.
Biography
Literature and sources
‘Rotzooien met de taal,’ Stephan Sanders. De Groene Amsterdammer, 2024.
‘Edgar Cairo. Zanger van het “bestaansverdriet,”‘ Michiel van Kempen. Literatuurgeschiedenis.nl.
‘Edgar Cairo,’ Wigbertson Julian Isenia. With Pride – IHLIA LGBTI Heritage.
‘Het bestaansverdriet van een zwarte schrijver,’ Ko van Gemert. Ons Amsterdam, 2025.
‘Edgar Cairo overleed 20 jaar geleden,’ Michiel van Kempen. Werkgroep Caraïbische Letteren, 2020.