netherlands
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It is a sensitive and often overlooked subject. I’m not certain whether suicides were completely included in the Holocaust statistics. In this blog, I focus specifically on the situation in the Netherlands, but I believe this was likely the case in all occupied territories—and possibly beyond. Suicide emerged as a tragic yet significant response to…
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While Jewish identity was traditionally defined by religious beliefs and cultural heritage, the Nazi regime considered Jewishness a racial characteristic, making conversion to Christianity irrelevant in terms of escaping persecution. Many Jews sought refuge in Catholicism, hoping that baptism would provide protection from Nazi oppression. However, in most cases, conversion did not shield them from…
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Nowadays we take it for granted that we can conduct in peaceful protest, as a means to highlight our grievances. However in Nazi occupied Amsterdam during World War 2 any form of protest could be and would be considered an act of resistance which could lead to being jailed and even death. On August 5,1940…
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The above photograph is of a plaque that hangs over a house in The Hague. It was the residence of Mies Wahlbeehm, where she hid a great number of Jews. The one thing that captured my attention was the words at the top of the plaque, “De herrinering aan de doden is voor hen een…
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For a long time in Dutch historiography and discourse, the entirety of the Indonesian War of Independence was referred to by the euphemistic term politionele acties, as used by the government at the time. In the Netherlands, the prevailing impression was that there had only been two distinct, short-term police actions intended to restore Dutch…
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I am not suggesting that charity is a bad thing—quite the opposite. However, some charities are not what they appear to be. During World War II, for example, several organizations operated under the guise of charity. One such case was Winterhulp in the Netherlands, which was more focused on propaganda than on genuinely helping people.…
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Before diving into the story, let me first give a brief explanation of who Sinterklaas is for those who may want to become more familiar with him. Sinterklaas is a traditional holiday figure celebrated primarily in the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Germany. The festival, which has roots in both Christian and pre-Christian traditions, takes…
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Sinterklaas, also known as Saint Nicholas, is a beloved tradition in the Netherlands and parts of Belgium, celebrated annually on December 5th (Sinterklaasavond or Pakjesavond) and leading up to that date. It is also observed in other regions with Dutch heritage. The tradition centers around Sinterklaas, a figure akin to Santa Claus, who is based…
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Madurodam, nestled in The Hague, Netherlands, is a miniature city that captures the essence of Dutch heritage and ingenuity. Spanning just a few hectares, it offers visitors a bird’s-eye view of the Netherlands, featuring intricate replicas of iconic landmarks, modern cities, and traditional villages. Opened in 1952, Madurodam is not only a delightful attraction for…
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October 6, 1944 — deep in the tropical waters of the Java Sea, two submarines hunted beneath the same sun. One flew the flag of the Royal Netherlands Navy, the other bore the iron cross of Nazi Germany.By the end of the day, only one would remain afloat. A Dutch Submarine Far From Home The…
History of Sorts 