Commemoration on May 4 at the war memorial on Schouwweg and at Waalsdorpervlakte
Commemoration on Schouwweg
On Monday, May 4, 2026, a Remembrance Day ceremony will be held in Wassenaar at the monument on Schouwweg. This year’s theme is: Understanding History. The ceremony will begin with a silent procession, starting at the corner of Nachtegaallaan and Schouwweg, accompanied by music from the Excelsior Music Association of Wassenaar.
Prior to the commemoration, the Wassenaar Council of Churches is organizing the annual ecumenical May 4th service at the Goede Herder Church. During this service, Reverend Evert Jan de Wijer will offer a brief reflection, and Ensemble Archipel, conducted by Anneke Huitink, will perform selections from Purcell’s *Funeral Music*. The service begins at 7:00 p.m. and will last until no later than 7:30 p.m., allowing ample time to proceed in peace to the monument on Schouwweg afterward.
Program
| 7:30 p.m. | Meet at the corner of Nachtegaallaan and Schouwweg |
| 7:50 p.m. | Silent march departs from the intersection toward the monument |
| 7:58 p.m. | The procession stops at the monument |
| 7:59 p.m. | Taps |
| 8:00 p.m. | 2 minutes of silence |
| 8:02 p.m. | The Wilhelmus |
| 8:05 p.m. | Accompanied by music performed by the Excelsior Music Association, the mayor and his family lay the first wreath at the monument on behalf of the municipal government. Next, the eighth-grade students from Herenweg School lay their wreath. Following that, other organizations (as invited) lay wreaths at the monument. |
| 8:25 p.m. | Speech by Mayor Leendert de Lange |
| 8:40 p.m. | Excerpt from Mrs. Ruijgrok’s diary and a contribution from the youth |
| 9:00 p.m. | Others who wish to pay their respects may lay flowers and walk past the monument |
| 9:15 p.m. | End of the ceremony |
Commemoration at Waalsdorpervlakte
On Monday, May 4, we commemorate all the resistance heroes who were executed by the occupying forces on the Waalsdorpervlakte during World War II. A silent march will take place in honor of those who gave their lives for our freedom. The commemoration is open to the public. View the program and guidelines at www.erepeleton.nl.