Suriname National Day

Suriname National Day

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  1. 1975Independence from the Netherlands
  2. 1954Autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands
  3. 1975Republic became independent

The story behind the day

Suriname celebrates Independence Day on 25 November, marking independence from the Netherlands in 1975. The date represents the birth of the modern republic.

The holiday reflects one of South America's most multicultural societies, with Indigenous, Maroon, Creole, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese, Dutch and other influences shaping public life.

Paramaribo hosts official events, concerts and flag ceremonies, while families gather around food that shows the country's mixture of languages, religions and kitchens.

  1. 202625 November 2026 · Wednesday
  2. 202725 November 2027 · Thursday
  3. 202825 November 2028 · Saturday
The flag
Suriname flag

The Surinamese flag has green, white and red horizontal bands with a yellow star. Green represents fertility and hope, white justice and freedom, red progress and love, and the star national unity.

Surinamese food is among the most diverse in the Americas — Javanese nasi goreng, Hindustani roti, Afro-Surinamese pom dish and Dutch pastries all coexist in one of the world's most multicultural kitchens.

What to eat

PomPomtajer root baked with chicken and citrus — the definitive Afro-Surinamese celebration dish, served at every national gathering.
Nasi gorengJavanese fried rice with egg, shrimp and fried chicken — Suriname's Javanese community has made this a national staple.
RotiHindustani flatbread with curried potato, long beans and chicken — Indo-Surinamese cooking brought by indentured workers in the 19th century.
Saoto soupJavanese soto soup with chicken, bean sprouts, hard-boiled egg and fried shallots — eaten at breakfast celebrations.
BakabanaDeep-fried plantain in a batter coat — a popular Surinamese street snack sold at markets and celebrations.
Bruine bonenKidney bean soup with salted pork — the Dutch-Surinamese soup eaten on special occasions.

What to drink

Parbo beerSuriname's national lager — brewed in Paramaribo since 1954 and consumed at every outdoor celebration.
DawetJavanese dessert drink of coconut milk with palm sugar syrup and green rice flour noodles — sold at markets.
MaubyBark-brewed bittersweet drink from the Caribbean tradition — consumed by Afro-Surinamese communities.
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Culture on National Day

Suriname is the world's most multicultural country by percentage — Hindu temples stand next to mosques, Chinese shops and Dutch colonial architecture in a single Paramaribo street.

Paramaribo historic centreUNESCO-listed wooden colonial city — Dutch, British and Portuguese architecture in the only tropical wooden colonial capital.
Holi PhagwaThe Hindu Holi festival celebrated by Suriname's large Hindustani community — colour powder and public celebration.
Maroon cultureThe Maroon communities — descendants of escaped enslaved Africans — maintain wood carving, textile and ceremony traditions in the interior.
Javanese cultureSuriname's Javanese community has maintained Indonesian language, gamelan music and wayang shadow puppetry for 150 years.