‘The memories, also erased, should not be erased’
The National Monument originally has eleven urns of earth from gunfire and honorary cemeteries. Each urn symbolized a province. In 1949 a twelfth urn for the Dutch East Indies was added. This place therefore has great symbolic value for many attendees at the Indies Commemoration Amsterdam.
Due to the renovation of the National Monument, this year’s commemoration will take place on the other side of Dam Square, opposite the Palace, and now for the first time with the public after two corona years. Just like the national commemoration Monday evening in The Hague, Amsterdam also commemorates the end of the Japanese occupation in the Dutch East Indies. There are speeches, wreaths are laid and there is two minutes of silence.
On August 15, 1945, Japan capitulated and the Second World War officially came to an end in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, says Deputy Mayor Hester van Buren in her speech, “but the war was not over for everyone by then. In the Dutch East Indies, peace and freedom were still a long way off due to the independence struggle, developed through racist violence, purges and also through brutal intervention by the Dutch government.” A story that, according to Van Buren, has not been given a full place in the history books for a long time.
Two million people with Indian roots
Peggy Stein (60), initiator of the commemoration, was pleased with the deputy mayor’s speech. According to her, this fitted in well with the purpose of the commemoration: to do justice to the correct historiography. The memorial was attended by an estimated 200 people, a “beautiful number”, according to Stein. According to her, Amsterdam is the ideal place for a commemoration: “There are more than two million people with Indonesian roots throughout the Netherlands, many of whom live in Amsterdam.”
Among those present is also film producer San Fu Maltha (64). He is there to honor his family who lived through the horrors, but he is also there for his children. “The story of the Dutch East Indies must be told, especially to young generations.”
Although few young people are present, it is also an important topic in the speeches. Frans Leidelmeijer (80) agrees: “Young generations feel the direct pain less. That gives the opportunity to connect the stories and memories.” something that according to him activities happens. Leidelmeijer sees a new generation looking for the past and giving it meaning. He does want to pass on one thing to the future generation(s): “To heal all wounds, all stories must be told. That includes taking all sides of this history into account.”
Attention and recognition
It is in line with the words of Deputy Mayor Van Buren. “We have a responsibility to have the memories, not to be erased.”
Although Maltha is happy with the attention that is now being paid to the history of the Dutch East Indies, he still often lacks recognition. “Most people here have Indian roots and are familiar with their past. I think it is important that the rest of the Netherlands also pays attention to this piece of history.”