About town with... Jetty Mathurin
Cabaret artist and actress Jetty Mathurin (born in Paramaribo, Suriname in 1951) celebrates the silver jubilee of her career with the performance Jetty jubileert met liefde en overvloed (Jetty's Exults with Love and Exuberance). She has been living in the Netherlands since 1973 and in Amsterdam's Zuidoost District - also known as De Bijlmer - since 2001: ‘I feel at home here.’ Click on the map further down for a better view of the streets in De Bijlmer.
Living in De Bijlmer
It's wonderful! I was born and bred in a multicultural society. De Bijlmer gives me a feeling of being at home that I've known since my childhood days.
Theatre
Since last season we've had our own theatre in the neighbourhood: the Bijlmer Parktheater. Circus Elleboog [A children’s circus, trans.], a youth theatre school and others are in the same building.
And every last Sunday of the month, they do a comedy show called Fatu, hosted by Jeffrey Spalburg. 'Fatu' is the Sranan [Surinamese language, trans] for 'cool' or 'funny'.
Music
Last year, I hosted the Gospel Festival in the Heineken Music Hall. But I'd rather name small stages for youths, such as No Limit, where they can rap and other things. Recently, none other than Spike Lee, the famous American director, gave a lecture there!
Film
I take my grandchildren Desai, Kayra en Elora to Pathé Arena.
Delicious food
Mavis Hofwijk, world-famous in De Bijlmer, has owned the Surinaams Buffet Catering on the Bullewijkpad since 1985. She also runs the Sweet Store at the Amsterdamse Poort shopping centre. Patrick’s Catering on Eeftink has lovely food originating from Suriname's five biggest population groups: Creoles, Hindoestanen, Javanese, Chinese and Maroons. Last January, he did the catering for the gala premiere of the film Sonny Boy.
Art
The Centrum Beeldende Kunst Zuidoost (Zuidoost Art Centre) on the Anton de Komplein loans artworks. And the Bijlmer Galerie in Grubbehoeve exhibits work by artists from all corners of the world.
Grocery shopping
At the market. I know all the locations of the markets and when they are by heart: Mondays and Thursdays at the Amsterdamse Poort, Wednesdays at the Reigersbos, Tuesdays and Fridays at the Kraaiennest and Saturdays at the Ganzenpoort. And I love cooking.
They sell everything at those markets, for example fresh herbs and tropical vegetables such as cassava. The market vendors let you pinch the produce to see if it's fresh. And Ali not only has the best fish, but also the best chatter.
Best spot for relaxing
I've been going to Nagelstudio Aloette (a manicure salon, ed.) every three weeks for ten years now. It's where I finally can - no, must! - sit still. It's so relaxing! I always get my own fingernails manicured by the way, I’m not a fan of artificial nails.
Fashion
Big & Beautiful by Patricia Pryor on the Bijlmerplein. I found an African dress for the gala premiere of Sonny Boy there. For the gala opening of the DeLaMar Theater, which was also attended by Queen Beatrix, I wore a beautiful sari from Saraswatie Art in Mijndenhof.
Sports
I used to work out in the Bijlmer Sportcentrum on the Anton de Komplein. And every morning at 7, I go for a one-hour walk with my neighbour and friend Jenny Wesly. No matter what the weather is like or how late I got home the night before after a show. You have to take care of your body.
De Bijlmer for kids
Children's farm Kinderboerderij De Gliphoeve on Ganzenhoefpad. And the indoor playground Speelparadijs Ballorig on Valsburgdreef in Gaasperplas.
De Bijlmer's surprise
My daughter Glynis Terborg and I have advanced plans for a TV show called Bijlmervrouwen (Bijlmer Women). The script is finished. We want to show the real Bijlmer, seen from within. You just always only hear negative things about our Bijlmer. People that don't live here only know of the Bijlmerbajes prison. That's not even in De Bijlmer! Perhaps Endemol might be interested in our script, seeing the company moved to the MediArena last year. Who knows?
Interview by Anne-Rose Bantziger
Image by Liselore Kamping
Translation by Sarah Gehrke
First published in the Uitkrant, March 2011
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