On May 14, it has been 85 years since Rotterdam was bombed by Nazi Germany. This year, the names and faces of the civilian victims come to life in the city during The Names of May 14.
Mayor Schouten kicked off the event on Tuesday, May 6, in the hall of Rotterdam Central. A large screen will display the names of the Rotterdammers who died on May 14, 1940, until May 14.
The Commemoration Committee of May 14 organizes this special project together with Mothership and VideoAgency.
711 Victims
For years, the focus in Rotterdam was primarily on the destroyed city and the reconstruction, but not so much on the destroyed lives. Generations later, the bombing still leaves deep wounds in the city and among survivors. With The Names of May 14, the committee aims to address this.
From North to South, from Rotterdam Central and the KPN building at the Kop van Zuid to Rotterdam Ahoy. The names of the 711 victims of the bombing will be projected onto various Rotterdam buildings, screens, entrance signs, and a monumental plane tree in the city center. Their names will appear one by one. With the help of survivors, some of them now even get a face.
After May 14, a compilation of names, stories, photos, and images from the city will be available on the website Do you commemorate May 14. Link opens an external page to be found.
Commemoration
On May 14 at 1:27 PM, Rotterdam commemorates the bombing. At Plein 1940, there will be speeches, and Mayor Carola Schouten will lay a wreath. Read more about the program on the page Commemoration of the Bombing. Link opens an external page.