It is clear that there is no answer to the question of when Velsen will let flags fly, there is currently no flag protocol. The municipal council will probably discuss a motion to establish these rules in January.
There was also criticism from various quarters about the fact that no Dutch flag was flying at Plein 1945. The council responded: from now on, the national flag will be hoisted on the main mast on working days. “All residents count. The Dutch flag belongs to everyone and stands for solidarity. We want it to feel that way for all our residents.”
And the Ukrainian flag? It will remain, a municipal spokesperson confirms, but possibly not in the same location. “Many people have difficulty with the location next to the war memorial, according to conversations with residents last week. We are therefore investigating whether the flag can be moved.”
What will not change, the municipality emphasizes, is the removal of Dutch flags that residents hang up themselves. For example, on the bridge at Pontplein. “For us, that is simply the management of public space. Whether it is a Dutch, Palestinian or another flag: we remove them all.”
The typical IJmuiden ‘congratulatory flags’ may remain hanging at Pontplein.