On 4 May, Amsterdam joins the rest of the Netherlands in commemorating the civilians and members of the armed forces who have died in war and peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of World War II. During the Remembrance of the Dead, people all over the country observe two minutes of silence at 20:00. On 5 May, the day after Remembrance Day, the entire country celebrates Liberation Day.
4 MAY: STILLE TOCHT
Silent March
On 4 May 2017, it is 72 years ago that the war ended in The Netherlands. On this day, hundreds of people will join in on a silent march through the heart of the city to the National Commemoration at Dam Square, departing from the Stadhuisplein at 17:30.
During the Remembrance of the Dead, people all over the country observe two minutes of silence at 20:00.
Everyone is welcome to join the silent march and commemoration. Bridigzz, YOUnite and the 4 & 5 May committee personally invite all 180 Amsterdammers to join the silent march and commemoration. At Dam Square, the King, politicians, and children will lay flowers at the National Monument.
4 MAY: THEATER NA DE DAM IN CARRÉ
Theatre After the Dam
The National Remembrance of the Dead on 4 May on Dam Square will be followed at 21:00 by Theater Na de Dam, with performances inspired by World War II.
On May 4th, 72 years after the liberation, the celebrated actress and singer Meral Polat met the enthusiastic members of the New Cool Collective. Together they’ve created a one-off show with stories, music en songs in which necessary and painful questions won’t be avoided.
Bridgizz, and YOUnite together with the 4 & 5 May committee have made made tickets for this show in Carré exclusively available for the 180 Amsterdammers.
5 MAY: VRIJHEIDSTOUR
Freedom Tour
May 5th it’s Liberation Day and we celebrate our Freedom in the Netherlands. We are free to share and be free to be who we want to be. This freedom applies to everyone in the Netherlands regardless of color, cultural background, religion, sexual orientation or age. A Liberation Day for Everyone.
A great opportunity to share stories and a Freedom Meal with neighbors, artists and politicians. Several organizations in Amsterdam-Oost have joined forces and decided to organize a Freedom Tour. Residents of Amsterdam-Oost can join in on these activities.
Everyone is welcome to participate for free. You can’t sign in so make sure you arrive on time to secure a place at the table. The evening program is chargeable. Reservations can be made per person or per table (10 people) send an email to: info@vrijheidstour.nl.
The Freedom Tour is a collaboration between:
180 Amsterdammers, De Kompaszaal, Brouwerij Poesiat & Kater, Al Kabir, Al Maarif, Stadsdeel Oost, Upcycle Connection, EuroMarokNed, ArteGanza, Netwerk Amsterdamse Helden, Amsterdams 4 en 5 mei comité and many others
Next to that, Freedom Tour Oost has also committed itself to the charity Child and Safety Education, a school renovation project in Morocco.
Freedom Tour Program
VRIJHEIDSONTBIJT
Watergraafsmeer
Time: 10.00 – 12.00 hrs
Place: Al Maarif, Zuivelplein 9, 1097 XD Amsterdam
Admission: free
VRIJHEIDSLUNCH
Indische buurt
Time: 14.00 – 17.30 hrs
Place: Sumatraplantsoen
Admission: free
VRIJHEIDSLUNCH
Oosterparkbuurt
Time: 15.00 – 17.00 hrs
Place: Al Kabir, Weesperzijde 76, 1091 EJ Amsterdam
Admission: free
VRIJHEIDSMAALTIJD
Oostpoort
Time: 16.00 – 19.00 hrs
Place: aan de kade bij Brouwerij Poesiat & Kater, Polderweg 648, 1093 Amsterdam
Admission: free
VRIJHEIDSDINER
KNSM Eiland
Time: 19.00 – 23.00 hrs
Place: De Kompaszaal, Knsm-Laan 311, 1019 LE Amsterdam
Admission: 15,-
Reservations can be made per person or per table (10 people) send an email to: info@vrijheidstour.nl.
Visit www.vrijheidstour.nl
5 MAY: VRIJHEIDSMAALTIJD NOTWEG
Freedom Meals at Notweg, Amsterdam-Oost
Celebrate freedom together, and join or help cook a Freedom Meal (Vrijheidsmaaltijd) at Notweg!
Everyone is welcome this day to participate in the Freedom Meal. Part of the food will be provided but there will also be an opportunity to cook meals together with others at Garage Notweg as well as Lucas Community. A few people will be hosting a cooking experience in their home. The Freedom Meals will be shared together at Notweg.
During the day there will be entertainment such as storytelling, speeddating and music. Garage Notweg, The Beach, Meram, Lucas Community, Lucas Zorg, Implacement, 180 Amsterdammers, Bridgizz and several local businesses are organizing this freedom meal.
5 MAY: VRIJHEIDSMAALTIJD ‘DE NIEUWE TIJD’
Freedom Meal ‘The New Age’
180 Amsterdammers, Vereniging Turks Huis and Vereniging Vrienden Meram invite you to join them for a Freedom Meal. The theme will be ‘De Nieuwe Tijd’ (The New Age).
During the meal we want to exchange ideas with you about ‘our role models’ and how they can contribute to this theme. Our role models are: Hodja Ahmed Yasawi, Yunus Emre, Hadji Bektas Veli and Mevlana Jalaleddin Rumi. The initiators are: Mr. Fatih Okumus (Director Yunus Emre Instituut Amsterdam), Mr. Veli Tongel (board member HTDB, teacher and initiator of Bijzondere Leerstoel Alevitisme) en Mrs. Nilgün Yerli (writer, actress and comedian).
Participation is free of charge. Please register at info@turkevi.nl to secure a seat. There is a limited amount of seats available.
OTHER 4 & 5 MAY ACTIVITIES
- A municipal remembrance ceremony will take place at De Nieuwe Ooster cemetery.
- There is an annual ceremony at the Homomonument, near the Westerkerk.
- There will also be a range of remembrance concerts, for example at Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ and the Royal Concertgebouw.
- During Open Jewish Homes, speakers will tell the story of life before, during and after the war, persecution, resistance and liberation
- The 180 Amsterdammers, Make Food, not War Freedom Meal will be held at De Hallen. There will be even more Freedom Meals throughout Amsterdam.
- The Liberation Festivals taking place across the country are a highlight of Liberation Day. The festivals will have extensive musical programmes and big-name acts relating to the theme of freedom. At various spots in the city, Dutch bands and international musicians and DJs will perform live.
If you’re interested in any of these events, please visit the 4 and 5 may official website www.4en5meiamsterdam.
