Delfzijl students honor WWII resistance heroes in annual remembrance ceremony
Students from Het Baken primary school will lead this year’s tribute to the Zwaantje Resistance Group, a local WWII hero collective. The ceremony, open to all, includes poetry, speeches, and a wreath-laying at the monument in Delfzijl on April 9.
| Key Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Wreath-laying ceremony |
| Date & Time | April 9, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Location | Delfzijl Town Hall & 't Zwaantje' Monument |
| Organizer | Het Baken primary school |
| Participants | Students (groups 7 & 8), Mayor Ben Visser, guest speaker Mr. Lavooij |
| Monument Honored | 't Zwaantje' Resistance Group (active 1940–1943) |
| Open to Public | Yes |
Local governments in the Netherlands often facilitate remembrance ceremonies to honor historical resistance efforts, ensuring younger generations engage with national history. Delfzijl Town Hall’s involvement underscores its role in preserving regional heritage and fostering civic participation.
Read the full translated article below
Wreath-laying ceremony at the 't Zwaantje' Resistance Monument
Every year, the Christian primary schools organize a remembrance ceremony in honor of the Zwaantje Resistance Group. This year, Het Baken primary school is hosting the ceremony.
On Thursday, April 9, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, the ceremony will take place in the council chamber of Delfzijl Town Hall and at the 't Zwaantje' Resistance Monument. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Programme
During the ceremony in the council chamber, students from groups 7 and 8 of Het Baken will recite poems about war, resistance, and freedom. Mayor Ben Visser will give a speech, and there will be a guest speaker, Mr. Lavooij. Afterward, attendees will proceed to the monument for the wreath-laying ceremony, a two-minute silence, and the Dutch national anthem.
't Zwaantje' Resistance Monument
The 't Zwaantje' Resistance Monument was erected in memory of the Zwaantje Resistance Group, which was active from 1940. Due to betrayal, the group was arrested and deported in 1943, forcing it to disband.