The annual commemoration of Kamp Vught’s children’s transports was visible and invisibly secured this year by the police, enforcement and personal security guards. Tensions in the world, and especially around Israel, are mentioned as a reason. Those present barely noticed it and were particularly impressed by the stories about the nearly 1300 children who were murdered in June 1943.
Upon entering Kamp Vught, students from group seven from primary school De Schalm 1300 read children’s names, including their age. An impressive moment that many visitors stop to think about.
Safety at stake
“It is a very sad and large event in the history of camp Vught,” says Jeroen van den Eijnde, director of the National Monument. In two transports, on 6 and 7 June 1943 all children under the age of sixteen are taken away to extermination camps. “That thought alone, that image and that history makes it one of the most notorious events of camp Vught.”
At the public commemoration on Sunday afternoon in the inner area of Camp Vught, visible and invisible safety measures were taken. “The tension is increasing, the polarization is increasing, the we-side thinking is increasing,” begins Van den Eijnde. “That also means that safety is at stake and we see that at times like this.”
According to the director of Kamp Vught, security has been present for years. “But the realization is now that it is more necessary.” For example, a large 4×4 off -road vehicle of the police with a clear goal is visible in front of the entrance to camp Vught.
Chief Rabbi Jacobs, who gives a speech during the commemoration, is accompanied by the person security of the police. Whether there were specific threats? “I’m not going to say anything about that, no. But we all know what is happening in the world further away and here in our own country. That realization makes you more careful and take into account that things can happen. The presence of police and security is a reassurance so that they can grab if necessary.”
Freedom is elusive
Back to the commemoration then. Fien (10) and Sophie (10) from primary school De Schalm from Vught can talk to each other. “I think it’s very important to do. You have to realize how many children have been here and how many have died,” says Sophie. She did not know that history in advance. “Then you are shocked, that’s really bad.”
The two girls wanted to give a message to those present: “That you are very lucky with your life. You have to realize how the other children had it, some were only six days old.”
Director Jeroen van den Eijnde wanted to let the children notice, feel and experience that freedom is something elusive and abstracts, but extremely important. “The children, like we adults, have to realize what is happening in the world. Insecurity, war and freedom brings all closer.”
Less war
Linda hangs a butterfly in the barbed wire for everyone who lives at war. “I always find war very impressive.” Her husband Jerry adds: “This should never happen again and it should not be forgotten. Our three children must realize that, they also stand here with us. I hardly come from my words now, it makes me emotional.”
“This should never happen again,” you always belong to this kind of commemorations. Yet it is happening again at the moment. “I don’t have the illusion that war will ever be out of the world,” says Van den Eijnde. “But we can ensure that with a little more respect and recognition of freedoms and owning of others, we can continue the world. Then we can live on with less war.”
