No traditional cannon or chamber shots will be fired in Valkenburg this spring. It must prevent the war experiences of Ukrainian refugees from being brought to the surface.
Mayor Daan Prevoo has requested the Ere Saluut Geschut 1842 Valckenborgh Foundation and the Oude en Jonge Nobele Valkenburg militia to refrain from firing this year.
Distant perimeter audible
During King’s Day, several cannon shots are normally fired. The Old and Young Nobele Valkenburg civic guard would also fire chamber shots on April 30 when the May Pair of the youth youth was proclaimed. These booms can be heard for miles around. According to Mayor Prevoo, these could cause strong reactions in people with war trauma.
Not processed yet
“Children playing who duck when a plane flies over. Or panic because of the sound of a glass container being emptied”, gives the mayor of Valkenburg aan de Geul as an example. “These refugees have experienced terrible situations in their country and have not yet come to terms with this, even though they are now safe here.”
The mayor appreciates that the militia and people of the Gun are fully understanding. “It’s great that we were able to make good agreements about this together.”