Commemoration of the end of World War II in the Dutch East Indies

August 15, 1945 marked the end of World War II in the Dutch East Indies. Also this year, we will dwell on this important period with a commemoration in the Lycklamahûs.

The event will focus on the victims and the impact of this period, with testimonies from people who survived the Japanese camps. The initiative comes from former mayor Joost van Bodegom, who himself stayed in a Japanese camp as a child. Reconciliation and remembrance are central.

Date: Thursday, Aug. 15, 2025

Program:

  • 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.: Walk-in.
  • 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.: Remembrance and stories
  • 11:15 - 12:00 a.m.: afterglow with coffee, tea and an Indian delicacy

Location: Lycklamahûs, Hoofdstraat 80, 9244 CP Beetsterzwaag

Speakers:

  • Andries Bouwman, mayor of Opsterland municipality
  • Stieneke Mulder-Spoelstra, survivor of a Japanese Camp
  • Klaas van der Tempel, the father of Mr. Van der Tempel survived a Japanese camp

All are welcome to commemorate and reflect together. Registration is required. You can sign up using the button below:

Sign up

Parking

Behind City Hall is a public parking lot (Freulesingel). From the parking lot you can walk via Lycklamapark to the Lycklamahûs. 

Learn more

Still have questions?

If so, please contact the Public Center

Municipality of Opsterland

More news

  • Retrospective network meeting OWO energy coaches

    The evening focused on meeting, sharing knowledge and collaboration.

  • We're switching to Diftar+, what does that mean for you?

    The municipality collects your garbage. You pay waste disposal charges for this. In Opsterland we have been using the 'Diftar' system for years. You pay partly a fixed amount and partly per time that you put the container on the road. This is called 'pay according to use'.

  • Ukrainian delegation guest in Opsterland

    From June 23 to July 5, the Municipality of Opsterland hosted a special visit from Ukraine. The mayor and the head of the Housing and Public Works Department of the municipality of Nedryhailiv paid a two-week working visit to Opsterland.