Hundreds of torches in Tilburg and lights on war graves in Roosendaal and Bergen op Zoom. Christmas Eve is all about peace and freedom in several places in Brabant. The theme is more topical than ever since Mark Rutte warned of a possible threat of war on December 12. “Freedom is not self-evident and never has been,” says veteran Tony Broos.
It is a drizzly afternoon, but people have gathered at the general cemetery on Bachlaan in Roosendaal for the fourth edition of ‘Lights on the graves’. This is where victims who died during the Second World War lie. On Christmas Eve they are commemorated with a candle on the grave and two minutes of silence.
The graves were ‘adopted’ by Hans Molier. “Every so often I place roses on the graves and on the dates of death I place flowers,” he says. “I see graves of young men who are simply forgotten. They came here from far and wide for our liberation. If you come from Australia and you lie here and no one looks after you… That’s not possible.”
“I’m particularly concerned about the generations after me.”
Tony Broos, secretary of the Roosendaal Veterans Foundation, also believes it is important to continue to commemorate these victims. “This is the ultimate example that freedom is not free. There are always victims for our freedom,” he says at the commemoration.
The warning that Rutte gave earlier this month has not gone unnoticed by Hans Molier and Tony Broos. “I worry, especially about the generations after me. But you can’t stop it. These things keep happening,” says Molier. Broos thinks so too. “I know that the threat is there and that has now been emphasized. I think Rutte has tried to make it clear to everyone that we have to deal with it sparingly. Freedom cannot be taken for granted.”
The 27th edition of Torches for Peace will take place in Tilburg on Christmas Eve. During this peace march, freedom and peace are also discussed. About 500 people are participating. “This is something that gives me light. I come out of the darkness and gloom myself,” says Peter, who walks along. “What Rutte says is not soothing or peaceful. It is a kind of strategy to instill fear. That does something to people.”
In between the march, Member of Parliament Esmah Lahlah will give a speech on Willemsplein. “It is precisely this light that we need so much today. Not only here, but everywhere in the world. Borders are emphasized and differences are magnified. Here tonight we let all the walls fall.”
“The more armed you are, the more you invite attack.”
Annelies from Goirle walks with her two grandchildren. “I’ve always thought it was an important theme because there is always war somewhere in the world,” she says. She finds Rutte’s statement terrible. “It’s incitement. I don’t think it’s necessary. The more you arm, the more you invite to be attacked, I think.”
74-year-old Liny participates in her mobility scooter. With a torch in her hand, she says that she has been doing that for years. “Ever since the beginning when they still led the way with drums. The connection is so beautiful and atmospheric. I used to go to church at this time and we would see the procession. At one point our family started participating in the journey,” she says. “There is a lot going on in the world right now and we don’t have control over it all, so we all try to express our feelings in this way.”
