Eightieth February 5th commemoration: ‘Democratic resistance is: recognizing allies in people with whom you passionately disagree’

On February 5, the 80th annual February 5 Commemoration took place. Since 1946, the Democracy and Media Foundation has organized this annual commemoration to honor all the staff members of the underground newspaper *Het Parool* who lost their lives.

Never before had so many family members and others affected by the tragedy gathered at the Noorderduin General Cemetery in Zandvoort for the first part of the February 5 commemoration. Nienke Venema, director of the Democracy and Media Foundation, welcomed those in attendance, including Alderman Gert Jan Bluijs. “This day of remembrance serves as an anchor to pause and reflect on all those men and women who were so incredibly brave back then,” said Venema.

After the welcoming remarks, the group made their way to the grave of Wim Gertenbach, his wife, and his three children. Gertenbach had been the printer for *Het Parool* since November 1941 . He was one of the thirteen men who were executed by the Germans on February 5, 1943. All thirteen were convicted for their work on the underground newspaper in what later came to be known as “the first Parool trial.” At the grave, two students from Wim Gertenbach College recited a poem they had written themselves. After a minute of silence, those in attendance laid flowers at Gertenbach’s family grave and at his parents’ grave.

For the second part of the February 5 commemoration, family members of the victims, editorial staff from *Het Parool*, employees of the Democracy and Media Foundation, and other participants gathered at the Cemetery of Honor in Bloemendaal. Twelve victims of the first Parool trial were reburied here in the Honorary Section after the liberation. After two minutes of silence, the flag was raised and flowers were laid at the graves.

Attendees received a booklet containing background information on all 32 men buried at the Cemetery of Honor who were active for *Het Parool* during the occupation. It was written by historical researcher Jos Sinnema and designed by Christa Jesse.

The luncheon program took place at Parnassia aan Zee. The Bob Hanf Ensemble performed Bob Hanf’s String Quartet in C major. Hanf was a Dutch-Jewish composer who perished in Auschwitz. Writer and historian Ewoud Kieft spoke about the power of steadfast, everyday resistance. “The populist narrative of a single people with a single will is a fairy tale. I haven’t even come across a single family in which everyone agrees with one another. Democratic resistance means recognizing allies and fellow fighters in people with whom you passionately disagree. (…) As soon as there are enough people who simply say no—in parliament, in court, on the street—autocracy takes a hit.”

Nienke Venema brought the day to a close. She read a poem written by poet and professor of the rule of law and democracy Hanneke van Eijken to mark the 80th anniversary of the February 5 commemoration.