New Year's speech 2026 by Mayor Leendert De Lange

Ladies and gentlemen, dear fellow villagers,

Before I address you, we would first like to pause for a moment of music. Egor and Arseny, aged 14 and 11, will open this meeting with a musical interlude on the clarinet and piano. I invite you to listen and enjoy the music.

Thank you for being here today and braving the winter weather. Over the past few days, municipal public works employees have been working day and night to keep our roads passable. Thank you, and as far as I'm concerned, these heroes who are dedicated to public service also deserve a big round of applause. 

Every year, it is special to meet each other at this place, but this year feels just a little bit more special. Perhaps because we know that this will be one of the last times we will gather at our Town Hall De Paauw for the time being. This is a place that holds many stories, breathes history, and which we will be saying goodbye to temporarily in a few months' time.

I would like to start with a brief look back at 2025, a year in which Wassenaar once again demonstrated its resilience.

We had a NATO summit, during which our region embraced the international stage and Wassenaar was briefly the center of attention. 

Many saw the images on the news of Wassenaar residents trying to catch a glimpse of the summit participants at the Den Deijl intersection.

There were national elections again, in which we once more saw how democracy continues to evolve. We also saw that Wassenaar is ready to ensure that the elections run smoothly, with the help of all its employees and volunteers. The residents of Wassenaar turned out in force to vote, and let's hope this continues for the important municipal elections on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. 

We recently celebrated the opening of our renovated village center, and new shops opened their doors. Entrepreneurs and property owners are investing in the future. In a place where residents meet, do their shopping, and enjoy the village atmosphere. 

2025 was also a year in which we noticed how connection works: not in grand words, but in small gestures. It starts with seeing each other, greeting each other, listening, and sometimes just standing next to someone. 

But also by setting up new initiatives such as the Grannies Christmas tree. An idea by Annelies Groenewegen and Hille Theil that resulted in a beautiful Christmas tree in the library, made from crocheted patches that came together symbolically. It was the start of many hours of fun and friendships. That too is Wassenaar.

On Wednesday, March 18, it will be up to the voters to elect a new municipal council. This election feels closer than in other years, perhaps because our society is in flux and the world at large is in turmoil, perhaps because we have more wishes, questions, and expectations, or perhaps because it feels more important than ever that everyone makes their voice heard.

As far as I know, nine political parties are currently busy recruiting candidates, writing manifestos, and preparing their campaigns. I have great respect for all my fellow villagers who are committed to a vibrant local democracy. This is by no means a given; it requires time and perseverance, responsibility and decency, and puts you at the center of the debate. As voters, let us support the candidates by turning out en masse to vote on Wednesday, March 18. Because a vibrant democracy starts with the people who come out to vote. And that brings me to a group I would like to address personally: our young people who are eligible to vote for the first time. Several students from the Rijnlands Lyceum and their teachers are here today.

It is a milestone for you. A first opportunity to exert influence, to show what is important to you. And I would like to encourage you, our young Wassenaarders, above all: get involved, make your voice heard, the village needs your fresh perspective, your energy, and your ideas.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Now that the people of Berlin have power again after five cold days, I would like to draw attention to social resilience. A word that sounds strong, but which actually touches on something very human.

Resilience is about how we deal with change. How we hold our own in a world that sometimes feels harder and faster than is good for us.

It's about our safety, power outages, digital threats, severe weather, working together when the pressure is on, but also about something very simple: how we continue to find each other when things get complicated. That goes beyond just putting together an emergency kit. 

Let's not only take good care of ourselves in difficult times, but also try to engage in conversation with each other. How can I help you? What do you need? What can you do?

Don't forget: Wassenaar is stronger than we sometimes think. We are committed, attentive, and benevolent. And it is precisely this combination that makes us strong together. I would therefore like to ask everyone in Wassenaar to work on this together with the municipality.

Speaking of perseverance, on May 1, 2026, we will close this beautiful Town Hall for a major internal renovation lasting at least 2.5 years. We recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of this palace in grand style. We would like to make it possible for future generations to enjoy it too. 

Yes, we will miss it: the stately hall, the scent of history, the view over the pond, the weddings, the conversations, the New Year's gatherings. But I want to leave you with this thought: it is temporary. The council and the college will meet in our police station, and many employees will work in the municipal office on Johan de Wittstraat. 

And the good news: the beautiful De Paauw park remains freely accessible. 

As every year, this evening is also dedicated to connection.

Our Ukrainian residents and the residents of the Asylum Seekers' Center are once again providing the snacks for tonight, a gesture that is much more than just cooking. It is a form of participation, a form of sharing and showing that you are part of our community.

Let's be sure to thank them personally for that later.

And now something I am genuinely proud of.

Wassenaar runs on volunteers. On people who don't stand in the spotlight, but keep their village running. Various organizations couldn't do without them, such as Excelsior, our music association, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, and the National Animal Care Organization, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

One of the finest examples of a Wassenaar organization that runs on volunteers is the bij-Bus: volunteers who help people get somewhere every day, both literally and figuratively. 

I would like to ask if Piet van Herk, the chairman of Bij-Bus, and other volunteers could slowly make their way over here...

But before the bee bus arrives, I will end my words with a wish. May 2026 be a year in which we continue to find each other.

Where we vote, listen, contribute ideas, and stand up for ourselves.
Where young and old empower each other.
Where our community not only grows, but also becomes more united.

And in which, despite a temporary farewell, we continue to feel that Raadhuis De Paauw is our place.

And now. 

Piet van Herk, 

It gives me great pleasure to announce this evening that the Municipal Executive has decided to award the Burgemeester Staab Penning to the bij-Bus Wassenaar.

Before I officially present this medal, I would like to take you back in time to my predecessor: Mayor Staab.

Before being appointed mayor of Wassenaar in 1971, he was a politician, member of the Provincial Council, and party leader of the Rotterdam City Council. He remained our mayor until his retirement in 1985 and passed away in 2011 at the age of 91.

When he left office, he wanted to leave something tangible behind in Wassenaar, something that would give lasting meaning to the rich community life of our village. This led to the creation of the Burgemeester Staab Penning: a challenge cup that can be awarded every two years to an association or institution that is committed to the welfare of a large group of residents. For the past two years, the medal has been in the artistic hands of Ars et Studium. 

For more than 40 years, the Bij-Bus has been one of those silent forces that give a village meaning. Volunteers who, without saying much, do what needs to be done: taking people to appointments, to activities, to a place where they can socialize. It may seem simple, but its value is immeasurable. Thanks to the bij-Bus, residents remain mobile, independent, and connected to the community. These are journeys full of fun and humanity.

This medal is a tribute to all those rides.

Therefore, Piet van Herk, it is my pleasure to present you, as chairman of the Bij-Bus, with this medal.

And there is another special musical moment. Eight-year-old piano student Ian Shen will take his place at the piano for us. Ian will play the first movement of Clementi's Sonatina Opus 36 No. 1.

He is a student of Javier Krohn, piano teacher here in Wassenaar, and tonight he will demonstrate how young talent and dedication come together.

I would like to raise a toast with you all to the new year.
Here's to a safe, engaged, and resilient 2026.