Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe to commemorate the end of World War II on Monday and celebrate liberation on Tuesday
Today, May 4, is ‘Dodenherdenking’, or remembrance day in The Netherlands. The day is intended to commemorate all those who have died (both military and civilian) in conflicts since World War 2.
Tuesday 5 May (‘Bevrijdingsdag’) is traditionally the festive follow-up and the North and the rest of the Netherlands celebrate the country’s liberation from occupation in World War 2. Usually this entails a series of festival across the country, but this year is all completely different from other years and everyone is invited to stay at home and experience all the various events digitally.
“You do commemoration at home”, says the organisers of Groningen’s remembrance day. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak there will be no silent marches, large ceremonies, or wide-scale public events. All wreath laying will have to take place without an audience, reports the GIC.
A representative of the Groningen’s city council will lay a wreath at a number of commemorations, after the two minutes of silence held at 20:00 this evening, the National May 4 and 5 Committee has invited everyone to go outside and sing the Wilhelmus, the national anthem of the Netherlands.
May 5 is deeply symbolic in The Netherlands, especially with regards to the concept of ‘freedom’. Here & Now, the cultural directory for the North, along with some partners will be hosting a series of conversations around ‘freedom‘. These will take the form of a web-cast, with six pairs of complete strangers, all from different countries, discussing their ideas around freedom. Those tuning in will also be able to send questions, or even ‘join’ the conversation. If you’d like to join the debate, check out their event.
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