Indies Monument
Encyclopedia
The ‘Indies Monument’ is a memorial in The Hague
in memory of all Dutch citizens and soldiers killed during the Second World War as victims of the Japanese occupation (1941–1945) and Bersiap
in the former Dutch East Indies
. It is dedicated to all who died in battle, in prison camps or during forced labor. As stated in the official mission statement of the Commemoration Foundation it is also:
The monument is unique in the world due to the fact that earth from the seven war cemeteries in Indonesia has been placed in an urn which has been mounted in a small column in front of the monument. Additionally in the autumn of 2008 another urn with earth from the Galala Tantui war cemetery on the isle of Ambon
was placed behind the column.
Also prior to the commemoration ceremony in The Hague each year, the Dutch Ambassador in Indonesia lays a wreath at the Menteng Pulo war cemetery on Java in coordination with the Foundation. Once every five years (2010–2015) in coordination with the Dutch embassies and the Dutch War Graves Foundation wreaths are also laid at all the other war cemeteries in Indonesia, Australia and South East Asia where Dutch victims of the Second World War lie buried.
In addition to this monument a permanent exposition and commemoration site in Bronbeek
, Arnhem
was finally establ
ished in 2010.
Day’ on May 4 and ‘Liberation Day’ on May 5, were pre-dominantly dedicated to the Dutch victims of Nazi Germany
. Only as of 1962 it includes the soldiers and civilians fallen during the Indonesian National Revolution
.
Memorial day at the ‘Indies Monument’ is dated August 15, day of the Japanese capitulation. In contrast to May 5, day of the German capitulation, it is not a public holiday in the Netherlands.
laid a decorative garland at the monument (July 19, 1991) during his state visit. Later that day, the wreath was thrown into the water by a Dutch Indo demonstrator. Prime Minister Lubbers expressed his regret about the incident to Kaifu, which led to further angry reactions from Indo survivors of the Japanese occupation.
, a miniature park created in memory of Antillian war hero George Maduro
.
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
in memory of all Dutch citizens and soldiers killed during the Second World War as victims of the Japanese occupation (1941–1945) and Bersiap
Bersiap
Bersiap is the name given by the Dutch to a violent and chaotic phase of Indonesia's revolutionary period following the end of World War II. The Indonesian word bersiap means 'get ready' or 'be prepared'...
in the former Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
. It is dedicated to all who died in battle, in prison camps or during forced labor. As stated in the official mission statement of the Commemoration Foundation it is also:
“A place where you can pass on to your children the part of your childhood spent in the Dutch East Indies”
The monument is unique in the world due to the fact that earth from the seven war cemeteries in Indonesia has been placed in an urn which has been mounted in a small column in front of the monument. Additionally in the autumn of 2008 another urn with earth from the Galala Tantui war cemetery on the isle of Ambon
Ambon Island
Ambon Island is part of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. The island has an area of , and is mountainous, well watered, and fertile. Ambon Island consists of 2 territories: The main city and seaport is Ambon , which is also the capital of Maluku province and Maluku Tengah Ambon Island is part of the...
was placed behind the column.
Also prior to the commemoration ceremony in The Hague each year, the Dutch Ambassador in Indonesia lays a wreath at the Menteng Pulo war cemetery on Java in coordination with the Foundation. Once every five years (2010–2015) in coordination with the Dutch embassies and the Dutch War Graves Foundation wreaths are also laid at all the other war cemeteries in Indonesia, Australia and South East Asia where Dutch victims of the Second World War lie buried.
In addition to this monument a permanent exposition and commemoration site in Bronbeek
Bronbeek
Bronbeek is a former Royal palace in Arnhem, the Netherlands. It is now a museum and a home for elderly soldiers.Bronbeek was built early in the 19th century. In 1845 the Dutch King William III bought it. He donated it to the Dutch state in 1859. William wanted it to be a home for disabled KNIL...
, Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
was finally establ
ished in 2010.
Design
Designed by Jaroslawa Dankowa it was unveiled on August 15, 1988 by Queen Beatrix. The monument consists of 17 bronze sculptures, a map of Indonesia and the text "The spirit conquers”. The design was chosen in 1986 by the Mayor of Amsterdam and former government official in the Dutch East Indies, and the Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam, and former resistance fighter. The commission for the design stated:"Recognition through a representation of the struggle and the conquest. The humiliation, the repression, hardship, pain and despair. But also the hope, perseverance, courage and solidarity. Acknowledgement through a portrayal of our understanding today of the causes, the circumstances and consequences of that suffering."
Development
It took the Netherlands 43 years to erect a national monument for its war victims of the Dutch East Indies. Up to 1961 National ‘Remembrance of the DeadRemembrance of the Dead
Remembrance of the Dead is held annually on May 4 in the Netherlands. It commemorates all civilians and members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who have died in wars or peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of World War II....
Day’ on May 4 and ‘Liberation Day’ on May 5, were pre-dominantly dedicated to the Dutch victims of Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
. Only as of 1962 it includes the soldiers and civilians fallen during the Indonesian National Revolution
Indonesian National Revolution
The Indonesian National Revolution or Indonesian War of Independence was an armed conflict and diplomatic struggle between Indonesia and the Dutch Empire, and an internal social revolution...
.
Memorial day at the ‘Indies Monument’ is dated August 15, day of the Japanese capitulation. In contrast to May 5, day of the German capitulation, it is not a public holiday in the Netherlands.
"In the years following the transfer of sovereignty of the Dutch East Indies to Indonesia (1949) the political climate in the Netherlands was marked by sensitivity in relation to Indonesia and a sense of shame about the Netherlands’ colonial past. As a result it took a long time before there was any interest in the war victims of the former Dutch East Indies colony."
Kaifu incident
3 years after the unveiling of the monument the Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki KaifuToshiki Kaifu
is a Japanese politician who was the 76th and 77th Prime Minister of Japan from 1989 to 1991.- Career :He was born in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, and was educated at Chuo University and Waseda University. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party , Kaifu ran successfully for the Diet in 1960 and...
laid a decorative garland at the monument (July 19, 1991) during his state visit. Later that day, the wreath was thrown into the water by a Dutch Indo demonstrator. Prime Minister Lubbers expressed his regret about the incident to Kaifu, which led to further angry reactions from Indo survivors of the Japanese occupation.
Anniversary
To mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Japanese capitulation on 27 July 2005 a miniature of the monument was unveiled in MadurodamMadurodam
Madurodam is a miniature city located in Scheveningen, The Hague, in the Netherlands. It is a model of a Dutch town on a 1:25 scale, composed of typical Dutch buildings and landmarks, as are found at various locations in the country. This major Dutch tourist attraction was built in 1952 and has...
, a miniature park created in memory of Antillian war hero George Maduro
George Maduro
George John Lionel Maduro was a Dutch student who served as an officer in the 1940 Battle of the Netherlands and distinguished himself in repelling the German attack on The Hague.The miniature city of Madurodam is named after him, as well as the Maduroplein area in Scheveningen, in The...
.
External links
- Website ‘Stichting Herdenking 15 augustus 1945’
- Website about national war monuments ‘Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei’
- Official registration of the 2010 commemoration on national television. http://nos.nl/artikel/178411-herdenking-einde-woii-in-nederlandsindie.html http://player.omroep.nl/?aflID=11270149 Retrieved 24 July 2011.