Every year during the National 4 May Commemoration at the Dam, a wreath is laid for all civilians who were killed or died in Asia as a consequence of resistance, internment, war violence and exhaustion during and directly following the Japanese occupation.
Commemoration ceremony on the Dam
The commemoration ceremony at the National Monument on the Dam is open to everyone. Seating is reserved for guests who attend the commemoration service in De Nieuwe Kerk. Over 20,000 people with an interest in it attend. If you wish to take part, then take into account the crowds and follow the direction boards. For the annual programme go to 4en5mei.nl.
Wreath-laying for all war victims
The first wreath will be laid by the King and Queen on behalf of the whole Dutch population. This wreath will be laid just before 20:00, when the two-minute silence begins.
Various groups of war victims
Then, five wreaths will be laid by first generation war victims for various groups of war casualties:
- A wreath for people who were imprisoned and murdered because they mounted resistance and stood up for the rights of others.
- A wreath for more than 100,000 Jews, Roma and Sinti who were persecuted and murdered in concentration and death camps, purely and simply because of who they were.
- A wreath for those who lost their lives though war violence, bombing, whim, exhaustion, hunger, deprivation, neglect and scarcity.
- A wreath for all civilians who were killed or died in Asia as a result of resistance, internment, war violence and exhaustion during and directly following the Japanese occupation.
- A wreath for all members of the armed forces and merchant navy killed in the service of the Kingdom of the Netherlands during the Second World War and, subsequently, in war situations and peace-keeping operations.
As the commemoration has a national character, no wreaths are laid by representatives of other countries involved in the liberation of the Kingdom or by countries which have occupied the Kingdom.
Parade
Before the parade begins, flowers are laid by fifty primary school children who took part earlier in the Silent March through Amsterdam. Afterwards, anyone can lay a floral tribute or wreath during the parade. Scouts also hand out flowers.
Broadcast
NOS broadcasts the service from De Nieuwe Kerk live from 18:45 on NPO 1. The National Commemoration at the National Monument can be seen live on NPO 1, 2 and 3 from 19:45.