At first glance, 4 May appears a weekday like any other. But don’t be fooled, to the Dutch it is known as dodenherdenking (remembrance of the dead). It is a special day in the Netherlands in honor of the casualties of the Second World War. Flags hang at half-mast to signal the day’s arrival.
Commemoration services are held at war memorials throughout the country, particularly in the evenings. While a military ‘taptoe’ signal may be played, unlike in many other countries, there are no large military parades.
Occurrences in Amsterdam are perceived to be predominantly important and broadcasted live on national television, including the queen’s laying of wreaths at the foot of the national war memorial at the Dam Square just before 8pm.
In Enschede, following a memorial concert in the Grote Kerk (Big Church), a parade led by the mayor moves at 7:10pm to the Volksparks’ war monument, erected in memory of war victims, including the many Jewish people that lost their lives.
Finally, there is the two-minute silence observed at eight o’clock sharp. Initially only used to commemorate Dutch fallen resistance members and civilians killed in the Second World War, today it honors anyone killed as a result of armed conflict. Besides at commemoration services, people may observe it in their homes, but certainly also in public spaces like trains, which may be temporarily halted for the occasion.
Remembrance Day is considered a particularly good day to visit places linked to the Second World War. Why not join the Dutch and visit Enschede’s beautiful synagogueto learn more about the relatively large Jewish community once residing in Enschede prior to 1945? You can also join a proper, English-spoken tour of the synagogue on 18 May at 7:30pm.
VisitThe Etty Hillesum Center inDeventerwhere a young, Dutch Jewish woman named Etty Hillesum was killed by the Nazis in a concentration camp, but her diary survived and kept her memory alive. The center displays her kept personal items and other materials to illustrate to visitors her life and how she was affected by the brutalities of war. Tours in English are possible. Find more information at ettyhillesumcentrum.nl/en.
Further away, the National Liberation Museum 1944-1945, nearby Nijmegen, may be of interest, just like former concentration camp Westerbork in Drenthe, and naturally, the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.
Celebrating freedom
Commemoration is followed by a day of celebration on 5 May calledBevrijdingsdag (Day of Liberation). Sixty-six years ago on this day, the Netherlands was freed by Canadian military forces, with the assistance of British and American armies and French airborne. Open air festivals occur all over the country to highlight the importance of liberty and rejoice in the historic day of liberation from occupied troops.
You don’t even have to leave town— just go to the Old Market. The Liberation festival starts with a musical performance by the Dutch musical group The Petticoats in the late afternoon at 3:45pm. After the ignition of a ‘freedom fire’ and some speeches, German band Blechreiz performs, followed by many other bands such as the reggae band Splendid.
Meanwhile, ‘Absolutely Fresh’ will organize a massive dance party at the Van Heek square, featuring sweeping beats selected by famous DJ Billy the Klit’s and others. The party starts at 2pm and lasts well until midnight.
Learn more on the synagogue in Enschede at www.synagoge-enschede.nl.
Marloes van Amerom
