Keti Koti
Keti Koti means ‘the chains have been broken’, which refers to the abolition of slavery, which is celebrated as a national holiday on July 1. A kotomisi is woman (misi) wearing the national Creole costume (koto). This dress has virtually become the symbol of the free Surinamese woman, and is thus associated with the end of slavery.
That is why a standard feature of July 1 is a parade of Kotomisi on Independence Square. There are also festivities in the Palm Gardens of the Presidential Palace.
The annual swimming marathon of about 18 km in the Suriname River starts in Domburg and finishes at the ‘Marinetrap’ in Paramaribo. Zeelandia Suites is at a short distance from the Palm Gardens, Independence Square and the ‘Marinetrap’.