Today, the abolition of slavery is commemorated in various places in the Netherlands. The national memorial to the slavery past is commemorated in Oosterpark in Amsterdam. The celebration of the “broken chains” is central to it. Kitty Kuti Festival In Museum Square.

Ten members of the outgoing Rutte IV government are present at the commemoration ceremony in Amsterdam today. Mark Rutte will be present on his last working day to lay a wreath on behalf of the cabinet at the ceremony. Minister of Education, Culture and Science Robert Dijkgraaf will deliver a speech on behalf of the cabinet.

In addition, the meeting will be attended by the three Deputy Prime Ministers, Jetten, Van Gennep and Schouten, as well as the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Defence and Legal Protection and the Minister of State for Kingdom Relations.

Commemoration ceremonies are also held in other parts of the country, attended by members of the Cabinet.

Conspicuous by its absence was chamber president Martin Bosma of the Party for Freedom. Bosma was due to lay a wreath on behalf of the House of Representatives, but the president of the National Institute for the History and Heritage of Dutch Slavery (NiNsee) withdrew the invitation this week after a conversation with Bosma.

Bosma has spoken in the past about “slavery drama,” “anti-white racism,” and “propaganda and indoctrination” regarding the history of slavery. He never wanted Bosma to reflect on his comments and apologize before attending the memorial service. NiNsee was also afraid of demonstrations that could disrupt the ceremony in Oosterpark.

Bosma has no intention of backtracking on his remarks. He says he did so as a member of parliament for the Freedom Party, not as speaker of the House of Representatives. He has not appointed a replacement, so no one will now lay a wreath on behalf of the House of Representatives.

Last year marked 160 years since the Netherlands adopted a law regulating the abolition of slavery. After a ten-year transition period, slavery effectively ended in 1873.

Because of this important event, last year was declared a year to commemorate the past of slavery. Hundreds of events and activities focusing on the past and its impact on the present. In a historic speech last year, King Willem-Alexander apologized for the Dutch history of slavery. He also asked for forgiveness.

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