More than 80 children from the municipality of Emmen visited the former Westerbork camp for free this afternoon. The municipality of Emmen paid the tickets. This gesture is not only intended as a valuable history lesson for the youth, but also as a support for the adjacent reminder center, which was in financial heavy weather at the end of last year.
Last November, the Hart voor Emmen and the PVV political groups within the city council proposed to donate 10,000 euros to the ailing reminder center. The CDA suggested to adjust the plan somewhat: spend the money so that the residents of the municipality also benefit from it. It was then decided to buy tickets with the money and to provide them with the residents for free. The budget was then increased to 50,000 euros. “Otherwise you couldn’t get any further than a handful of tickets,” the CDA said at the time.
The children were given a tour and explanation about the experiences of Jewish families. There was special attention for the Kropveld and Van Klaveren families, all of which died in Auschwitz. A stone was laid in memory of the removed Jewish families from Emmen.
The children found the visit impressive. “Very special what happened here, and that most stories here can still be told,” one of them responded.
At the end of last year it was announced that the remembrance center was in heavy weather. The center could then count on a lot of support. In addition to Emmen, Assen and Meppel also pulled the wallet. Shortly thereafter, support was also promised from the Lower House.
Christel Tijenk from the Kamp Westerbork Remembrance Center: “We are absolutely happy with it. It is a very nice gesture from the municipality that they have taken our financial worries so seriously and translated it into this beautiful initiative.” For the short term, the center is out of the worries. “But what we are now mainly in conversation with the central government is how you ensure sustainable solutions. We really want to look ahead and redesign this place, and for that you need structural, sustainable support. We are fully discussed about that.”
The tickets were popular, because within two weeks the more than 5000 tickets were all forgiven. It looks like there will be a sequel. The CDA will submit a new motion this Thursday. The Christian Democrats would like to see that the municipality will take another 50,000 euros for extra tickets.
Due to the high demand for the tickets, not everyone had the chance to use the promotion, according to the CDA. “It is not only important that we commemorate 80 years of liberation, but in a world with increasing polarization and war violence, it is essential that everyone can get acquainted with the stories in Kamp Westerbork memorial center.”