The Jose Maria Sison (JMS) Legacy Museum formally launched and opened in Utrecht, The Netherlands, on September 19. The museum’s opening was led by Ka Joma’s widow and fellow revolutionary, Julie de Lima, together with several local city officials.

The JMS Legacy Museum is a space that will feature the life and legacy of Ka Joma. Managed by the JMS Legacy Foundation, the museum is expected to inspire and spark curiosity in the next generations.

According to the Foundation, the museum highlights Ka Joma’s life as a committed revolutionary, genuine internationalist, respected intellectual, and renowned poet. The museum displays several videos of Ka Joma’s final interviews, along with his photos, documents, and more.

The museum was filled to capacity during its opening, attended by both younger and older activists, supporters, comrades, and friends. The organizers gave them a guided tour. They also held a question-and-answer session discussing featured exhibits.

“Opening a museum has been an aspiration of the JMS Legacy Foundation since its inception. The JMS Legacy Museum is for everyone,” de Lima said during the museum’s opening.

Utrecht University Center for Conflict Studies associate professor Dr. Mario Fumerton shared that Prof. Sison was showed strong enthusiasm during his lifetime to discuss with the youth and Dutch students about the Filipino people’s struggle and the need for social change. Dr. Fumerton often invited Prof. Sison to speak in his university classes.

“Sison was well-loved and respected by the Filipino migrant community in The Netherlands,” Dutch artist F. den Hollander, a longtime activist in solidarity with the Filipino people’s struggle, said.

According to the Foundation, Ka Joma’s legacy 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 worldwide.

Concluding the tour of the museum, the guests collectively honored and paid tribute to Ka Joma with the chant “Ka Joma Lives!”

According to the Foundation, the museum welcomes anyone who wishes to visit. Guided tours will begin this coming October. Private tours may also be arranged through coordination with the Foundation.