Light tour for Ukraine in Emmen: ‘Why do you have to go to war when you already have such a large country?’

“Why do you have to go to war when you already have such a large country”, Wim Zuidersma’s grandson wonders aloud as grandfather lights his candle.

A sharp question from the boy who, together with his brother, grandparents and about two hundred others, participate in the procession of lights. The initiative comes from the Bucket Section of the Socialist Party (SP). Party leader Marc Kuiper enjoys looking at the growing group of people on the Noorderplein in Emmen: “We want to make it clear that it can also happen here.”

Zuidersma and his wife Hennie think it is important to reflect on the war in Eastern Europe. “It is very important to us that we appreciate what we have,” says Wim. “Putin is crazy. The fact that he can be devastating at the push of a button, that instills fear.”

In addition, Wim subtly points out that a war only has victims: “The innocent people are always the victims. That is why it is extremely important that we pass this on to the younger generations, so that they know that freedom as we know it cannot be taken for granted. .”