The exhibition Interrupted Time tells the story of those affected by the New Year’s fire in Volendam. It is about their loss, but also about the recovery and the connection and resilience of the village.
Since its opening last week, the museum has been busy. Visitor numbers have doubled, partly thanks to the autumn holidays. “Beyond expectations, we are flabbergasted of the number of visitors, very special,” says Geer Zwarthoed, who welcomes the guests as a volunteer. According to her, many special reactions are received. “Often very emotional. People are really impressed.”
25 years after the disaster
This New Year’s Eve will mark 25 years since the fire at café ‘t Hemeltje. The disaster is a deep wound in Volendam and the images are still fresh in the memories of visitors from outside the village.
“The chaos and the panic. The people walking out of the café. The news all day long,” says a couple from near Deventer, “The sadness, the burns on all those young people. Yes, I thought that was very bad.”
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