2020: 75 years of freedom

In 2020, all of the Netherlands will celebrate the fact that it has been 75 years since the country was liberated. We have lived in freedom since 1945, the end of the Second World War in the Netherlands. The fact that freedom is something vulnerable is important to realise regularly. The liberation meant a restauration of the Dutch free and open democratic constitutional state. 75 years ago, the United Nations was founded and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted to prevent future horrors such as those committed during the Second World War. Together, we carry the responsibility of passing on the importance of freedom to future generations.

The international city of Peace and Justice is home 180 nationalities. Many residents in The Hague carry unique and inspiring stories about peace and freedom. The city needs your help to tell these stories. Become a Freedom Ambassador for The Hague and apply! So far, Leila Prnjavorac (presenter and 2017 Hague Resident of the Year), Joop Buyt (star sport reporter), Ties Brink (former children’s mayor of Madurodam) and Büsra Celik (children’s mayor of Madurodam) have joined the team. You can find more information about what you need to do as a Freedom Ambassador, what you get in return and what the selection criteria are on this page.

To celebrate the liberation and to commemorate the lessons learnt, activities surrounding ’75 years of freedom’ are organised throughout the country. The Hague, too, will have a programme that consists of all kinds of events and activities in which you can participate. Do note that, while many of these are in Dutch, many activities rise above the barrier of language, such as the freedom festival in May. See the full programme here: www.75jaarvrijheiddenhaag.nl.