Commemorating and Looking Ahead
On January 1, 1926, an area in the current municipalities of Beuningen, Druten, Heumen, West Maas en Waal, and Wijchen was hit by a major flood disaster. 100 years later, these municipalities seize the moment to pause together to reflect on this event while also looking ahead. The project living with water consists of a series of cultural and educational activities that make the past visible. They also strengthen regional identity and raise awareness about climate change.
Making Heritage Visible
With this subsidy, it is possible to realize a number of coherent activities within the project. For example, 3 photographers capture contemporary life with water in the Land of Maas and Waal. Their work, which highlights themes such as nature, heritage, and enterprise, will be exhibited in museums in the region.
Additionally, 11 historical dike warehouses will receive extra attention. These small buildings, once of great importance for dike monitoring, will be illuminated in a striking way during the Month of History. Visitors can discover them via a specially developed cycling and walking route.
In the 5 municipalities, information boards will appear that tell the story of life with water, then and now. The boards will have a recognizable design and will be part of a route developed in collaboration with the historical association Tweestromenland.
A digital map will also be created to show how the course of the Maas and Waal has changed over the centuries. The map will be publicly accessible and suitable for use in education. All components of the program will be bundled on a central website, which will also serve as a platform for communication and public information.
Working Together for a Climate-Resilient Region
The project living with water aligns with our ambitions: by commemorating the past and stimulating the conversation about water and climate. The project contributes to a future-proof Gelderland. More information about the project and the planned activities will be available at the end of this year on the websites of the 5 municipalities.
Header photo:
Photo: Regional Archive Nijmegen
Photographer: Gradus Burgers
