In the photo: Festival Sama Nimma at Mariënburgplein in Nijmegen. Photographer: Marcel Krijgsman
In 1942, Indonesia was occupied by Japan. At that time, the country was still a Dutch colony. This occupation suddenly ended the Dutch colonial administration in the region. For many people, life changed drastically; they were imprisoned, taken as prisoners of war, or forced to do hard labor. Others lived outside the camps, but they also faced difficulties. They tried to survive in a situation with little freedom and much uncertainty.
End of the Japanese Occupation
80 years ago, the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies came to an end, but the violence did not stop there. The Bersiap period and the subsequent police actions brought new waves of atrocities and countless victims. The Bersiap period literally means be alert in Indonesian. This period began in August 1945, shortly after World War II. Indonesia then declared independence. Between 1947 and 1949, the Netherlands carried out military actions in Indonesia to regain territories that had declared independence after the war. These were called police actions. During this turbulent time, there was much violence, and thousands of people lost their lives. These events are an inseparable and painful part of our national history.
Commemorations
After the war, the repatriation of Dutch people from Indonesia began. They returned to the Netherlands. Many Indo and Moluccan people settled in Gelderland and ended up in cities such as Arnhem, Apeldoorn, Ede, and Nijmegen. Because we find it important to continue commemorating this history, many commemorations are organized in our province.
Often organized by the Indo community in Gelderland.
Commemorations in Arnhem and Nijmegen
The foundation monument Sawah Belanda in Arnhem and the Foundation Platform Indo Organizations Nijmegen and surrounding areas (PION) in Nijmegen organized the following commemorations:
Service at Sint Stevenskerk
On Friday, August 15, 2025, the commemoration year 80 Years of Freedom was concluded with a large ceremony at Sint Stevenskerk in Nijmegen. There were dignitaries, well-known Nijmegen residents, and representatives from business and civil society present.
They were given the opportunity to lay a wreath or floral arrangement. The wreaths were taken by the organization to the commemorative monument at the town hall after the ceremony. This ceremony was organized by foundation PION.
Commemoration at Sawah Belanda
On Friday, August 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM, the 80th anniversary commemoration took place at the Indo Monument Sawah Belanda in Arnhem. The Sawah Belanda monument has been a unique place of commemoration and connection for 20 years. The artwork by sisters Joyce and Marion Bloem tells the sad story of departure and arrival, but also of resilience and holding on to ones own culture. It reminds us of the history of Indo Dutch people and their place in Dutch society. After the commemoration, flowers were laid, and there was room for discussion. This commemoration was organized by foundation monument Sawah Belanda.
In the photo: Commemoration at Sawah Belanda. The first wreath was laid by Stan, the 8-year-old grandson of Danny Wijnveldt. Stan belongs to the 4th generation. Photographer: Rob Kleering van Beerenbergh
Festival SAMA NIMMA
On Saturday, August 16, 2025, the festival SAMA NIMMA took place at Mariënburgplein. The festival was opened by Mayor Bruls. This special event combined remembrance and celebration. Visitors enjoyed music, dance, film, stories, and delicious food from the Dutch-Indonesian culture. The program offered space for meeting, recognition, and sharing stories with new generations. At the same time, we celebrated the strength and richness of these communities. This festival was organized by foundation PION.
