A museum dedicated to honor the life and works of the late founding chairperson of the CPP, Jose Maria “Ka Joma” Sison, was formally opened on 19 September in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The museum will generate curiosity among generations to come and is cherished to inspire all to learn from Joma’s life and legacy, stressed Joma’s comrade-wife Julie de Lima during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. She was assisted by Utrecht City Council representative and member of the Dutch political party Bij1, Ms. Noura Oul Fakir.
Dr. Mario Fumerton, assistant-professor at the Center for Conflict Studies in the University of Utrecht said Professor Sison showed strong enthusiasm to discuss with young Dutch people and students about the Philippine struggle, and the need for social change, when asked about his impression of Sison, whom he would often invite to speak to his classes at the university.
“Sison was well-loved and respected by the Filipino migrant community in the Netherlands,” shared F. den Hollander, a Dutch artist and long-time solidarity activist.
Young and old solidarity activists, admirers, comrades and friends were treated to a guided tour of the museum during the inauguration of the museum. Some highlights of the exhibit were the showing of select videos of Sison’s last interviews, and a glimpse into a rare photo showing Sison and wife Julie in a group photo with China’s Mao Zedong and other distinguished international guests during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Yenan Forum in the People’s Republic of China in 1967.
The JMS Legacy Foundation, which manages the museum, said, it “provides a unique opportunity to take a glimpse into the life of Ka Joma as an ardent revolutionary, committed internationalist, respected public intellectual, and distinguished poet. Through rarely-seen photos, documents, and belongings, the museum weaves together the history of the heroic Filipino people’s struggle with the life of one of its most dedicated proponents, encouraging participants to engage with Ka Joma’s life story and reflect on how every individual has the opportunity to change the world”.
Ka Joma’s lifelong works, stated the Foundation, not only changed the course of Philippine history as it pertains to the Filipino people’s struggle for national and social liberation but also continues to inspire and influence progressive and revolutionary movements around the world. Sison follows in the footsteps of such great Marxist thinkers and leaders as Lenin and Mao whose theoretical works and revolutionary practice had transformed not only their own countries but changed the course of history, the Foundation emphasized.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee in its tribute to Joma Sison on his passing on December 16, 2022 declared him as “among the greatest of Filipinos of the past century for masterfully and creatively applying Marxism-Leninism-Maoism to the Philippines and the Philippine revolution, and giving the Filipino people the strength to carve the country’s future and attain their aspirations for national freedom and democracy”.
The JMS Legacy Museum in Utrecht is open for walk-ins and guided tours with regular hours starting in October. Interested individuals and groups may organize private tours upon request to the JMSLF.
Please visit https://josemariasison.com/