Reflecting on freedom

On Remembrance Day, we take a moment to honour our freedom in the Netherlands. May 4th is all about remembering those who lost their lives in war. During the National Remembrance, we pay tribute to everyone - civilians and soldiers - who gave their lives in the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world during the Second World War, the Indonesian colonial war, and other conflicts since then. 

This year, due to social tensions and the possibility of protests or disruptions, stricter security measures have been implemented. Participants in the National Remembrance must present a reservation to gain access and will undergo stricter checks on items they are allowed to bring, such as umbrellas, flags, signs, and sound amplifying equipment.

The next day on May 5th is when we celebrate Liberation Day! We throw a big party to celebrate the end of World War II. We also remember the liberation of the Dutch East Indies. On this day, we reflect on the importance of freedom, democracy, and human rights. The government picked May 5th because that's when the Nazi’s retreated in 1945. Each year, the festivities kick off in a different province. This year, we'll hear speeches from Dido Michielsen and Lilian Gonçalves. Michielsen is a journalist and author of various non-fiction books, including biographical works and Gonçalves is a lawyer and human rights activist who lives and works in the Netherlands. Flags fly high on all government buildings to mark the occasion. Then we light the liberation fire, and it's party time! Several musical festivals can be attended. How do you plan on celebrating your freedom this year?