Today marks the 80th liberation day in the Netherlands from the second world war on the 5th of May. This day of course will give a lot of events of celebrating freedom and respecting all of the sacrifices that were made by other so we can live a life in freedom here.
Every year this event becomes a bit smaller and smaller as the history is going further back and all of the people who had participated in the liberation specific liberation continue to grow elderly or find their peace in another world. After all...the war where is referred to ended in 1945.
But it seems more of a topic than ever and feels important so people just continue to realize that freedom is not always something to take for granted and we should be grateful of (how weird this even may sound, because it totally should be the other way around)
Pexel.com by Igor Passchier
The 'rules' around this day are already kind of weird. In the baseline this is a national day off, but only for companies involved in the government line of work (school, hospitals, government, electricity companies). Other companies remain to have a work day today.
Also this celebration is only once in every 5 years and and that is why I don't really understand why this is not made a national holiday. But hey...If I would rule the world, you know ;)
Remembrance day is even more weird on that perspective. This is celebrated on the 4th of May and you will see this by all of the flags hanging half way.
At 20.00 there are always 2 minutes of silence in the whole country and I must say this is literally never a debate. Even while we were having dinner with some friends at 20.00 everyone shut their mouths until outside the noise started again.
Nothing weird, just a matter of respect to think about everyone who was lost amongst us.
HAS.nl
And that is where the weird part comes in. Because to me remembrance is just to take a moment of silence and think about the world and everyone we have lost already. Whether this is friends, or family or the ones fought in the wars.This isn't a written rule.
Over the last couple of years there have been a lot of protests about who should be remembered in those 2 minutes. Could this also be the kids in Gaza? Could this also be the fallen people who were just having a day out in Kashmir? Could this also be the fallen ones in a war where there only losers? Could this be for the families who are wondering if their kid is alright while they are fighting other peoples battles? Or are those 2 minutes reserved for a certain group of people? That would be weird right?
It isn't written for who this is for and it shouldn't be written.
Maybe those two minutes should be more like a little prayer to think about what we are thankful for and think about how we can help others in whatever situation.
Maybe those two minutes should just be a moment...to reflect?
