On Saturday evening, the municipality of Groningen commemorates citizens and soldiers during the National Remembrance Day, who have died in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere in the world since the outbreak of the Second World War, in war situations and during peace missions.
The program includes the traditional Silent Procession from the Jewish monument and the first joint wreath-laying ceremony by King’s Commissioner René Paas and Mayor of Groningen Koen Schuiling at the Martinikerkhof. After the two minutes of silence, King’s Commissioner René Paas will give a speech. This will be followed by the official wreath laying ceremony, followed by the parade for all interested parties past the provincial war memorial of Saint George and the dragon. The Chr. Harmony company Patrimonium and Gruno’s Postharmonie play choral music.
Program
From 9.30 in the morning, wreaths and flowers will be laid at memorable locations throughout the city, such as the NS Monument and the Indies Monument at the Selwerderhof, the Northern Cemetery, the former House of Detention and at the Canadian plaque and the plaque for the slain municipal council members.
Various commemorations are also on the program in the afternoon, such as the commemoration of Corporal Kevin Roggeveld, who died on July 16, 2016 during the Peace Mission in Mali.
In Groningen, a wreath will be laid at the Jewish Monument at 6:35 PM by the municipal council, the Groningen 4 May Remembrance Foundation and the Jewish Community. A procession will then depart from the Hereweg for a silent journey to the Martinikerkhof via the Hereweg, the Gedempte Zuiderdiep, the Oosterstraat, the Grote Markt, Kreupelstraat and the Martinikerkhof. The Silent Tour is preceded by Gruno’s Postharmonie Groningen.
The arrival of the Silent Tour at the Martinikerkhof is at 7.45 pm. After the tattoo signal at 7:58 PM, two minutes of silence will be observed from the stroke of 8:00 PM. After the two minutes of silence, verses 1 and 6 of the Wilhelmus follow, followed by the laying of wreaths at the monument of St. George and De Draak.
After the wreath laying, everyone is welcome in the Martini Church for a cup of coffee or tea.
There are also various commemorations at other locations in the municipality, including the commemoration at the New Cemetery in Noorddijk, preceded by a silent procession.
The commemoration at the Jewish Monument on Hereweg was held for the 35th time on Friday afternoon. Normally the commemoration is held on May 4, but this year this day falls during Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.
The National Remembrance Day traditionally takes place from 6:00 PM to 9:10 PM (sunset) by flying the flag at half mast as a show of reverence and respect for the war victims.
For the entire program and more information, visit 4meigroningen.nl
Tags: National Remembrance Day Groningen Silent Procession wreathlaying Martinikerkhof
