5 February Commemoration
Every year, we commemorate the Parool employees who were deprived of their lives or their freedom during World War II.
What?
During the 5 February Commemoration, Stichting Democratie en Media pays tribute to the staff members of the underground resistance newspaper Het Parool who were executed or murdered during World War II, or who were sent to a concentration camp or prison. We do this every year, together with the families of the victims, employees of Het Parool, and members of the public.
The program consists of a floral tribute at the grave of Parool printer Wim Gertenbach and his family in Zandvoort, followed by a floral tribute and two minutes of silence at the memorial stones at the Eerebegraafplaats Bloemendaal, and a group lunch featuring a guest speaker.
Why?
The Democracy and Media Foundation owes a debt of gratitude to the people behind the underground newspaper Het Parool from which the foundation emerged. Between 12 and 19 December 1942, the first Parool ‘trial’ took place: 23 men were convicted for producing and distributing the resistance newspaper. Thirteen of them were executed by firing squad on February 5, 1943, at the Leusderheide. Six men were sent to concentration camps, and three were sentenced to life in a penal colony.
This history teaches us that a free, independent media is not something to be taken for granted. SDM continues to champion the importance of free speech, especially when it is under threat. By commemorating the Parool staff members each year, we cherish that memory and keep their stories alive. Here you can read more about the history of the resistance newspaper Het Parool.
How?
The 5 February Commemoration passes by three fixed locations each year:
Algemene Begraafplaats Zandvoort. Flowers are laid at the grave of Wim Gertenbach and his family at the Zandvoort General Cemetery. In recent years, this ceremony has been accompanied by a recitation written by students at Gertenbach College.
Eerebegraafplaats Bloemendaal. At grave section 1 of the Eerebegraafplaats Bloemendaal, flowers are laid on the memorial stones of the Parool staff members, followed by two minutes of silence and the raising of the flag.
Lunch at Parnassia aan Zee. The day concludes with lunch in Bloemendaal aan Zee. In previous editions, a special banner exhibition was on display here, chronicling the history of the underground newspaper Het Parool, from its founding to the liberation. In addition, historical writers Jos Sinnema and Ewoud Kieft have given lectures here in recent years. Philippe Remarque, then director of journalism at DPG Media, also once participated in the lunch program as a speaker.
