“If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.”
On Sunday, November 24th, we commemorated resistance fighter Hannie Schaft and celebrated her life at PHIL Haarlem. The day began with the laying of a wreath at the Honorary Cemetery in Bloemendaal. This was followed by the program in the small hall of PHIL Haarlem, with the Hannie Schaft Lecture, given by author and journalist Nina Siegal. Siegal took us through the many forms of resistance. “It starts with our neighbors. We reach out one person at a time, with the goal of building a pluralistic community in which everyone’s voice is heard.” Her lecture and the speech by acting chair Hans Bakker were accompanied by performances by Arnout Bultje, Miriam Venema, Eline Selie, Rafael van der Maarel, Silje Raaijmakers, and children and young people from Musical Master. All this was directed by Brigitte Odett. This was followed by a silent march to Kenaupark, where wreaths were laid at the monument “Woman in Resistance” by Truus Menger-Oversteegen.
The 2024 Hannie Schaft Lecture can be read here. A visual impression:
