A sea of flowers is slowly forming in front of the town hall on the Markt in Den Bosch. Den Bosch residents and day trippers commemorate Alexei Navalny in this way. President Vladimir Putin’s opponent died last month in a penal colony. Today was his funeral. “I’m really sad about it, I had to shed tears about it,” says Liesbeth, who has just put down a plant.
“It doesn’t help anything, but I still felt I had to do this.” And more people thought that. On Friday the memorial spot will slowly become bigger and bigger. Sunflowers, tulips, roses, daffodils and candles stand in front of the town hall.
“It starts very small, hopefully it will become much bigger.”
Riet Russen places a bunch of roses next to Navalny’s photo. “I think we should not forget someone like that, someone who really stood up for the people. You just have to dare.” Earlier this week she saw some flowers, today was the time to lay some flowers herself. “A resident of Den Bosch may also think of it, he also did it for us. In Russia they should know that we will not forget him.”
Diana van de Ende completely agrees with this. Earlier she laid flowers, today she pauses to think of Navalny. “I think this sea of flowers is fantastic. We need to keep his memory alive and hopefully that will bring about changes. It starts very small, hopefully it will become much bigger.”
“It’s not just celebrating with the people of Den Bosch.”
There are also emotions on the Market. “I am moved to tears by what happened there. We saw this here and it immediately made me emotional,” says a couple from Sint-Michielsgestel who has just laid down a bunch of tulips.
“I’m really sad about it, I really had to shed tears about it,” says Liesbeth, who is placing flowers together with her friend Gerda. “I feel sorry for the Russian people who are not allowed to express their opinions and feelings.” Gerda nods in agreement: “He’s just a hero and he has now been murdered.”
“I think it’s so terrible what happened to that man,” says Gerrie Damen. She saw the flowers lying there and didn’t think twice: “Do it immediately. My girlfriend and I went to get flowers to support his family. The people of Den Bosch should also think about this, it is not just about celebrating with the people of Den Bosch.”