Yesterday at 7:30 PM • Edited yesterday at 9:24 PM
On Monday, the Netherlands stands still during National Remembrance Day, when we commemorate the people who have died or been murdered in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world since the outbreak of the Second World War. But what many people don’t know is that May 4 is also International Star Wars Day.
May 4 is Star Wars Day because of a pun on the famous movie quote “May the Force be with you.” Fans make this “May the 4th (fourth) be with you”, which sounds like the date May 4th. The tradition started in 1979 at the inauguration of Margaret Thatcher and is now a day celebrated by fans worldwide. Joost Dirkx from Tilburg thinks it is an unfortunate coincidence that it is on May 4th. His life revolves around the epic film series and he often travels as Darth Vader. With a wink, he would like it if Remembrance Day were moved to May 6.
“Laura has also been a fan since childhood, she has a Stormtrooper costume”
“This day is celebrated all over the world by Star Wars fans, but here in the Netherlands it is inappropriate. Out of respect, we do not have Star Wars Day here on May 4. It would be nice if we could celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4, Liberation Day on May 5 and Remembrance Day on May 6. For me, every day is a little Star Wars day,” says Joost with a smile. “It would be extra inappropriate to celebrate Star Wars Day in the Netherlands on May 4 because the clothing of the bad guys in the film is based on the clothing of German soldiers.”
The film series ensured that Joost and his wife Laura met each other. “I met my wife through the Dutch Star Wars costume group and we got married in style in September. “Laura has also been a fan since her youth. She has a Stormtrooper costume and a Transport Security Officer outfit and we often go out together as a Star Wars couple. We always wear it with pleasure and it is a lot of fun to do.”
May 4 is therefore an important day internationally for Star Wars fans. This year there will be a preview of the latest episode of the series on this day in Berlin. Fans and guests can see The Mandalorian & Grogu there, which will not hit theaters until May 22, 2026. “I would have really liked to be there, but Berlin is just too far to go down,” says Joost.
