The Maczek Memorial calls on the residents of Breda to display the special liberation flag again on October 29. The city has been liberated by the Poles for 81 years and the tribute should become an annual tradition. “The flag is timeless,” says museum volunteer Wendy Dujardin. “And every time it flutters, we think of our liberators.”
“Take it out of the closet and hang it up!”, says Wendy Dujardin. With her call, the volunteer at the Maczek Memorial wants to get people moving again. Last year, with the celebration of eighty years of liberation, the flag flew frequently in Breda neighborhoods on October 29. “You couldn’t cycle down a street without seeing one,” Wendy says proudly. “In the end, more than ten thousand flags were sold. That was really overwhelming.”
According to Wendy, the flag deserves a place in the annual celebration and commemoration. “It is not a one-off flag, but timeless. Just like the gratitude we feel for our Polish liberators.”
“Right now we must realize that it is special to live in freedom.”
Last year, Breda celebrated the liberation on October 29 more grandly than ever. Tens of thousands of people came to commemorations, concerts and meetings. This year the commemoration will be more subdued, but the message remains just as powerful.
“Especially now, with war so close again, we must continue to realize how special it is that we live here in freedom,” says Wendy. “The Poles paid a huge price for this in 1944. They fought, were injured and many died. For a country that was not even their own country. That should never be forgotten.”
“It was unprecedented.”
Last year’s eighty-year commemoration brought a lot to the Maczek Memorial. “It was unprecedented,” says Wendy. “The number of visitors has increased enormously. Not only Breda residents came by, but also many Poles. We received a lot of publicity in the Polish media and so much gratitude in return. Since then, almost every Pole knows where Breda is: the city that continues to commemorate their liberators with respect.”
The mega banner measuring 106 by 21 meters that rolled down from the stands at football club NAC made a particular impression. The text Pamietamy (translation: Lest we forget) on the life-size red and white flag touched the hearts of many Poles. On October 29, NAC will play at home for the cup against Heracles and supporters club Breda Loco’s will also pay attention to the 81st celebration of the liberation.
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“We are not making such a large canvas as last year,” says Leon Deckers of the Breda Locos who made the mega canvas together with Fr0nt76. “We are making another banner for the balustrade with all the names of the Polish veterans who have died.”
“NAC itself also pays attention to the liberation through their social media,” adds Wendy Dujardin. “This kind of involvement really makes me feel good. We hope that the supporters will bring their flag with them again at this match. And if they don’t have it yet, they can buy it at NAC around the match or earlier at the Maczek Memorial.”
“Hang up the flag and tell the story. We owe that to our Polish liberators.”
In addition to all the positive reactions, the Maczek Memorial also benefited financially from last year’s more extensive celebration. “We rely on donations and visitors and thanks to last year’s attention, we are now on a more solid footing. Although we can still use volunteers.”
Yet Wendy is not concerned with numbers or funds, but with awareness. “Commemoration is something you do together,” she says. “Just as we commemorate our freedom on May 4 and 5, we can also do so here on October 29. Hang out that flag, tell the story, pass it on. We owe that to our Polish liberators.”