Some Dutch towns marked WWII remembrance early to observe Sunday rest

Several Dutch municipalities held their annual Remembrance of the Dead ceremonies on Saturday, a day earlier than the national date of May 4, to honor the tradition of Sunday rest. These early observances took place in predominantly Protestant-Christian communities including Staphorst, Urk, Elst, Genemuiden, and parts of the Reimerswaal municipality, as well as in towns across Zeeland and Gelderland, NOS reports.

The early ceremonies included moments of silence, wreath-laying, and silent marches. Although the official national remembrance is always held on May 4—regardless of the day of the week—municipalities are allowed to choose their own date. Until 1968, the national event was regularly moved to May 3 when May 4 fell on a Sunday.

In Urk, a committee consisting of veterans and local representatives had explored whether this year’s Remembrance Day could still be held on Sunday. Their conclusion: a simplified version of the ceremony would not provoke objections from residents. Nevertheless, the municipal board decided to hold the official event on Saturday.

A local activist group attempted to reverse the decision and push the ceremony back to May 4. That effort failed, and the group is now calling for national legislation that would mandate all Dutch municipalities to observe Remembrance Day on May 4. Meanwhile, a separate group of Urk residents plans to hold its own ceremony at the town’s war memorial on Sunday evening.

In the villages of Waarder and Driebruggen, a compromise was reached after extensive consultation, according to Omroep West. The remembrance will take place on Sunday, but in a significantly toned-down form. Normally, three local elementary schools participate in a silent march, but this year they were asked not to attend. Organizers wanted to avoid requiring teachers to work on Sunday, which would conflict with the observance of Sunday rest.

In Jewish tradition, Saturday is the weekly day of rest, which led to additional early remembrance events on Jewish cemeteries. One such ceremony took place Friday at the Jewish cemetery in Rijssen.

National Children’s Remembrance ceremony

The tenth annual National Children’s Remembrance ceremony is set to take place Sunday at Madurodam in The Hague. Thousands of children are expected to attend the event, which will reflect on 80 years of freedom in the Netherlands. Participation is open to all, though early registration offers a front-row view.

“This year is a special edition,” said Dorien Korsten, director of the organizing body. “We highlight the fact that children in the Netherlands live in freedom, but that this is not the reality for many children around the world.”

Korsten acknowledged that national debate continues over whether May 4 should solely commemorate victims of World War II. “We explain to children that the date was chosen for the Second World War, the last war fought on Dutch soil. But we are also very clear that many wars continue today, and often close to home.”

The program includes personal stories from children with direct war experiences. Eleven-year-old Adit, a child reporter and podcast host, will open the event at 7:15 p.m. Eleven-year-old Lilach will recount the story of her 100-year-old great-grandmother Esther Vleeschhouwer-Blocq, who survived eight concentration camps. The youth mayor of Madurodam, 18-year-old Rand, and 14-year-old Logen will speak about their escape from Syria. Thirteen-year-old Govert, The Hague’s Young City Poet, will read an original poem.

Just before 8:00 p.m., 10-year-old Wouter—the youngest trumpeter ever to perform at the children’s ceremony—will sound the Taptoe from the lighthouse in Madurodam. That will be followed by two minutes of silence and a silent march.