The value of the 4th & 5th of May

The value of the 4th & 5th of May
Immediately after the end of the Second World War, throughout the country commemorations were organised on civilian initiative. of civilians. These commemorations took place on May 4th, the day prior to the German surrender, as it was on the 5th of May, 1945 that the capitulation was signed. Although parts of the Kingdom were liberated earlier or later, the liberation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from German and Japanese occupation is celebrated annually on the 5th of May.

The Netherlands are unique in the world for the fact that we have not one, but two days of remembrance and celebration. The 4th and 5th of May are inextricably connected to each other, but each has its own specific character, meaning and place in Dutch society.

Shift of accent
Throughout the years the commemoration has expanded. Not only the victims of the Second Word War are remembered, but alongside the Dutch who perished in wars, armoured conflicts and peace operations after the Second World War.

After 1995, the accent of May the 5th has shifted from liberation (look back) to freedom and peace (look ahead). The Second World War stems from the last century and stil May the 5th remains the day at which we celebrate our reclaimed freedom. It is also the day of contemplating the meaning and value of freedom, basic rights and democracy.

Experience of old and young
Of course there is a difference in the experience of the 4th and 5th of May between the older and younger generations since their involvement in these days is different. For the older generation, own experiences and recollections are their focus. Younger people have not witnessed the Second World War. For them the 4th and 5th of May gain value from the stories of others, although an increasing contingent of them unfortunately gained similar experiences through more recent involvement of the Dutch in conflicts elsewhere.

More than 50 countries and their colonies were involved in the Second World War. Some survivors who now live in the Netherlands, have witnessed the war elsewhere in the world. Their experiences and recollections enrichen the collective historical conscience.

Actuality
The difference in experience between generations will always remain but will not automatically lead to a difference of appreciating the 4th and 5th of May. The traumatic results of war and the emotions and moral dilemmas that people are confronted with are timeless and universal.

Actual matters give meaning to commemoration and celebration.. Since the end of the Second World War this world has not lived one day without war. From 1945 more than 200 wars and conflicts have been fought. There are many fellow Dutch citisens who personally witnessed these actual situations of war, repression and un-freedom. Surely for younger people without a historic frame of reference in respect to the Second World War, commemoration may have a relation to the present or the recent past.

Lasting value
On May the 4th and the 5th, we collectively contemplate war and peace, freedom and repression, responsibility, human rights and democracy. The extent to and way in which this is done, is partially influenced by the contemporary and actual national and international occurances.

For a society it is important to time and time again contemplate about maintenance of freedom and peace, even when no direct threats are experienced. On the 4th and 5th of May we realise that both war and peace are acts of mankind. Therefore the 4th and 5th of May definately can have a meaning to those who are not familiar with the traditions of commemoration and celebration.

Future of commemoration and celebration
The number of those who witnessed the Second World War diminishes. This however does not imply that the interest declines equally. Public support for commemoration and celebration remains unabatedly large with after-war generations. The results from the “National Freedom Research”, annually conducted by the National Committee 4th and 5th of May, prove that. 80 per cent of the Dutch population support the National Remembrance on the 4th of May and the celebration of the Dutch Liberation on the 5th of May.

Commemoration and celebration appeals to people, regardless of their age, status, color, creed, cultural background or political preference. For that reason the national Remembrance on the 4th of May and Liberation Day on the 5th of May can have a strong binding value for our society.

The 4th and 5th of May have a strong support in Dutch society. The question if commemoration and celebration should continue is therefor no point of dscussion to the opinion of the National Committee 4th and 5th of May. The question for the future is how commemoration and remembrance can maintain a contemporary place in our Dutch society.

Srouce: Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei