Tonight Drenthe will consider one of the most loaded moments in our history. The annual commemoration of the dead at Camp Westerbork starts at 7 p.m. with a quiet trip and can be followed live on RTV Drenthe.
During the commemoration, all Jews, Sinti, Roma and LGBTI+ people are commemorated who were taken away via Westerbork. This year the Hein family plays a special role. Their personal stories give the commemoration extra charge, where the past and the present are strongly connected.
Peter Hein, who survived the war as a child at hiding addresses, expresses the reflection. His story shows how deep the war works in subsequent generations.
His children each contribute in their own way: Ruben Hein provides the musical frame, Eva Mogendorff-Hein sings the prayers ‘El Male Rachamien’ and the ‘Kaddish’.
David Hein, lawyer, talks about how we draw lessons from the past and take responsibility for the present. With that he touches the heart of the commemoration: commemorating is also looking ahead.
The commemoration ends with the ringing of the Westerbork clock, two minutes of silence and flower laying at the monument. Increasing moments of reflection and connectedness.
Those who are not present in Westerbork can follow the commemoration live via RTV Drenthe, on TV and online. The broadcast starts at 7 p.m.