In cooperation with Central Committee 'Oranjedag', municipality of Dordrecht, the Oud-Illegaliteit and the Stichting Herdenkingsconcerten (Commemoration Concerts Foundation), the annual Remembrance of the Dead is organized on May 4.
After a silent march, 2 minutes of silence will be observed at 8 p.m. at the memorial on Sumatra Square. Flowers will be laid at the monument by representatives of the government, many organizations and individuals.
The National Remembrance Day is first and foremost a time when we respectfully remember those who became victims of war and unfreedom. We remember those who were deliberately murdered in concentration camps and elsewhere, and the civilians who became victims of war for other reasons.
In addition, the National Remembrance Day is also a tribute to the military and resistance people who died for the freedom of others. By experiencing the moment together during the two minutes of silence, the commemoration is also an encouragement to the victims' relatives and those who are willing to give their lives for peace and freedom. Continuing to remember what happened in World War II, even for new generations, is an essential reference point for assessing current developments.
And finally, the National Remembrance Day is a joint reflection on the past, present and future, where the value of freedom is deeply realized. Together, the commemoration on May 4 and Liberation Day on May 5 are an incentive for every citizen to make an active commitment to preserving freedom and sharing it with others in equality. They are national moments in which the citizens of the Netherlands affirm their interconnectedness.
