When Dylan (14) was born from Breda, the Second World War had of course long since ended. Nevertheless, he has created a small war museum in the attic of his parents’ house. Dylan has already collected a lot: from bullets to helmets and from miniatures to gas makers.
“It’s important that we keep thinking about how we get our peace,” says Dylan firmly in his museum. He either bought the items there himself or received them from veterans, for example. “I received a coat from an English veteran after my mother posted an appeal on social media.”
But it didn’t stop at a few pieces of clothing. “It’s gone on and on and now I have this museum in the attic.”
“Preferably a tank, trenches, everything in the backyard.”
If it were up to Dylan, the whole house would become a war museum and also open to the public. “I would prefer to have a garage or shed for my things, but that is a bit expensive,” says the young museum director with a laugh. “Now only people I know come because you have to go through the house. Or a veteran I met on a veterans day.”
He dreams of expanding his museum and earning a living from it. “I would prefer a tank and trenches, everything in the backyard,” says Dylan jokingly. But that’s not going to happen at his parents’ house. “If only it were such a party.”
“If Dylan can make his dream come true that way, why not?”
Mother Marjolein thinks it’s all very cool what her son does, but also has a side note. “It’s a lot,” she says with a laugh. “It’s gotten a bit out of hand, but if he can make his dream come true that way, why not?” But if Dylan wants to go even bigger with his museum, something has to change. “Then he has to leave the house.”
Marjolein must admit that she encouraged Dylan a bit with his museum. “It’s really cool if your child wants something like that.” That’s why she wants to apologize. “Especially to my friend: sorry it got out of hand.”
