What a milestone! This year we commemorate that we have already lived in freedom in the Netherlands for 80 years. Now that the world is on fire in various places, we realize once again that freedom is not a given. We must cherish and celebrate our freedom and democracy. With a beautiful program of activities and events, we give this shape in South Holland.

Passing on Stories

80 years ago, World War II came to an end in our country. We think back again to the liberation of the Netherlands by the Allies and the Dutch resistance. But we also commemorate the many victims who fell during the Holocaust and through war violence in the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies. By listening to and passing on their stories of loneliness, oppression, but also love and solidarity, we bring the memories back to life.

Freedom for Everyone

World War II has taught us that a society can only function well in a country without war and where human rights are respected. By carefully considering the space of others and creating a place where everyone can participate in discussions, decision-making, and participation, we ensure that the values remain safeguarded.

Youth

In South Holland, we try to shape these thoughts in a program full of activities and events. We are assisted by our cultural partners and other organizations. Our focus is on our youth. We would like to involve them as much as possible in this history, as for them, World War II sometimes seems very far away. We take the youth into the stories of the past and let them tell it themselves. Thus, there is a youth debate, theater performances, and a film program for education, a podcast, and youth making vlogs about the concept of freedom. They experience once again what the value of living in freedom is. Because freedom is not a given, we must continue to commit ourselves to it, now and in the future.

Program

In South Holland, various activities take place that everyone can participate in. On April 5, there is the music-telling-theater performance Anna is still there. We organize several Freedom Lectures in South Holland libraries and all our libraries receive the photo book Armed with rifle and camera to lend out. On May 5, we organize Freedom meals together with several bunker museums along the Atlantic Wall. In the provincial house, you can visit the exhibition Dreams of Freedom from April 9. On April 17, children can participate in the Walk for Hope in The Hague. The National Bunker Day takes place this year on May 24.

For more information, go to our site and keep an eye on our social media channels.

We do not celebrate freedom alone, we celebrate freedom together