It is the time to remember the dead. To commemorate those who died during World War Two. It is a strange experience for those of us who were born in a country which did not experience “The Occupation”.
As a Briton, I am used to war memorials featuring stalwart soldiers with their rifles at the ready. It was a shock to see that Dutch war memorials feature people in chains, heads bowed.
At 8 pm, I stood outside my house to enjoy the relative quiet and saw others also standing still to remember. A few cycle couriers hurried past with their hot meals to deliver.
Two young British girls walked past chattering animatedly and I thought it was appropriate to let them know what the occasion was. I asked if they knew what was going on, but they ignored me. Did they think I was propositioning them? No idea. They walked on and ignored me completely. It’s such a pity they still have no idea that it is 4 May and what that means in Holland.
https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2019/05/the-netherlands-will-go-quiet-on-may-4-for-two-minutes-here-is-why/
