Dutch People & Freedom | Nationale Herdenking & Bevrijdingsdag

[@exploringtheforeign]

What does freedom mean to you? And do you feel you're free?

[@Bluephoenix47]

For me the dutch freedom means that i can go where i want to go, where people are remembered and everyone in my country can get the same level of respect

[@309electronics5]

For me freedom means that you can do and be whatever you want and get no hate. And ofcourse no wars. I kind of do get why people demonstrate or say they want democracy because free people have a thousand wishes and people without it only do have one wish and that's freedom! i dont mind that the government might be trashing our country and people because not everything is their fault but people just blame them for everything they are the same people who want to be a millionaire and complain about everything. You can give people a thousand things but only one thing is the most important and that is freedom! I am proud that my country does this.

[@unforgettablejazzfusion5546]

Your Dutch speech is good! :)

[@mavadelo]

Freedom for me is being able to live my life without fear for prosecution for my thoughts, my affiliation, my political preference or religion. It means being respected and giving respect to others even if they have opposite views than mine. Greedom is not only given, freedom is something you need to participate in. Dutch saying "Wat U niet wilt dat U geschied, doet dat ook een ander niet, I think it is present in English as well "what you do not want done to you, do not do to another", that is the basis of Freedom.

[@gamenmetbritt3491]

Freedom means you can say what you think about some things that you can say hey that is not right.

[@ruawhitepaw]

I was in a train yesterday when the 2 minutes of silence started. The train stopped, and stayed still for 2 minutes in the middle of nowhere, then it continued after. I think every train does that.

[@nikedoesthings]

Yes, they do. Everything in the country stops at 8pm for 2 minutes. Even Pizza delivery people will step off their scooters and bikes and stand still in silence.

[@verloser]

@@nikedoesthings how about the airport?

[@Dirrievdw]

@@verloser they do not schedule any airplane in that timeframe. Like between 19:45- 20:05 no airplanes land or fly from Schiphol. ( I don't know the excact timeframe, but something like this)

[@noortjevanoo1837]

Ik herinner mij nog dat de auto's op de snelweg stil gingen staan om 8 uur, maar er reed bijna niemand toen, alleen in een noodgeval

[@tlee4218]

@@verloser The same those who can

[@daborg015]

Dank je wel dat je dit laat zien. Dit is erg belngrijk dat dit blijft voor bestaan. Oorlog mag men niet vergeten. En dat men de dodenherdenking in stand houdt.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Geen probleem, dankjewel voor het kijken❤️

[@MrMarinus18]

Vooral niet vandaag als het Fascisme opnieuw groeit in Amerika en in Europa. Wij zijn de laatste generatie die nog van directe bronnen kan leren. Het is dus aan ons om de herinneringen in stand te houden.

[@mauritsv0]

My uncle holds a high function at one of our airlines, Transavia. He explained to me how even one of Europe’s largest airports, Schiphol Amsterdam, is basically paused during those minutes of silence. No planes can land, nor taxi, nor take off from 19.50-20.05. Thousands of employees at the airport will stand next to their work spot and remain completely silent. Aircraft can’t land, and are put in a waiting circle at least 2km up in the air so they are scarcely audible. A few minutes after the national silence, the whole circus resumes again. Crazy to think how an operation of that scale can be unified and paused for such a moment.

[@NinaHassan-in1io]

Yes I worked there and it is communicated beforehand that we stop service whatever stand up and hold silence. It’s something a lot of travelers shared. A moment of reflection that this free country doesn’t take our wealth and freedom for granted, and it was taken away over night not so long ago.

[@worldofnuance]

As an American, the things people are saying in this video aren’t that much different from what Americans might say on days like Memorial Day or 4th of July. It just shows that the concept of freedom is not a uniquely American idea, which is something most people in the states don’t realize unless they travel elsewhere in the world.

[@roykliffen9674]

Some historical scholars suspect that the US "Declaration Of Independence" was partly inspired by the Dutch "Plakkaat van Verlatinghe" ("Act of Abjuration") signed on 26 July 1581 in The Hague in which the rebellious Dutch States General of the Netherlands declared independence from the Spanish Monarch Philips II. A striking similarity is the extensive preamble included in it containing an indictment of the Spanish King for the mistreatment of his Dutch subjects.

[@Usernumber777]

@@roykliffen9674 ..de koning van Hispanje heb ik altijd vereerd!” the dutch struggle was always real

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

The major difference being that the U.S never been occupied by a far more powerful enemy. And later regained it's freedom again. Maybe that's why Americans tend to have this underlying sense of superiority.

[@roykliffen9674]

@רא שלישה *geëerd. William of Orange always considered the Spanish king someone he could get on with and as such treated him with the courtesy required, thus "geëerd" (to honour). However, "vereerd" implies a greater deference, like for a deity (to venerate / to idolate)

[@nanwuamitofo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHrTfJmtZpxgr7s

[@Brozius2512]

I heard some elderly man in the Netherlands once say "You have to have been occupied to appreciate what freedom really is!". These words always stayed with me!

[@Leannabananaism]

I'm a proud Canadian. We and the Dutch share a special love affair!! Canadians liberated the Dutch and the mutual love remains.

[@ingridwatsup9671]

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🇳🇱🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

[@unforgettablejazzfusion5546]

Thank you so much for making this. May 4th at 2000 when we commemorate the fallen, the brave of WW2, is a deeply important moment to me. It was a significant part of how I was raised by my family. My grandfather was brought to Nazi Germany in WW2 for four years doing forced labor and my grandmother barely survived the "hunger winter" where she walked for over 160 km to get one bag of potatoes. Because of their survival, and because of the brave Allied soldiers and their sacrifices I am here. People died for my freedom. I will never forget that.

[@unforgettablejazzfusion5546]

@Jungkookie2010

[@exploringtheforeign]

No problem and thank you for watching and for sharing your family's story🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@hunchbackaudio]

Freedom is like happiness. You will know the real importance once it’s taken away from you. Free people have thousand wishes, people without freedom only one.

[@tenshyun]

Well said

[@Wielie0305]

Mooi gezegd

[@exploringtheforeign]

Nicely said Hunchback!

[@hunchbackaudio]

@@exploringtheforeign Wel not exactly my words, but I can’t remember where I got it from 😊

[@BrazenNL]

I remember a documentary or something like that, where someone said: "You can only truly appreciate freedom, if you have experienced your country having been occupied."

[@rros]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZWUdHqHaJunirc

[@Brozius2512]

I think the words were "You have to have been occupied to appreciate what freedom really is!". I think it's from this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZWUdHqHaJunirc

[@BrazenNL]

@@Brozius2512 That's it!

[@janvandoren8910]

Respect dat je dit laat zien. Veel expats komen niet verder dan de viering van Koningsdag. Heel goed dat je ook de andere kant van Nederlandse herinnering dagen laat zien.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel!

[@christaheks6581]

The 2 minutes of silence always gives me goosebumps. All (well most) people silent for 2 minutes, even people who are on the road get to a parking spot and some even stand next to their car. ❤

[@SuperPassionflower]

it always makes me shed silent tears. always.

[@Haroekoe]

You had me in tears. May 4 is important to me and for many Dutchmen. Being born in a former Dutch colony, occupied by Japan, I remember my relatives (for instance my maternal grandfather) and I remember the silent grieving of my parents. My parents never spoke on their ordeals during WO II but it had an impact on them, consequently on us. You „must" visit the war cemetery in Margraten in the south (Limburg province). There the Dutch honour the American / Canadian / British / Polish soldiers who gave their lives for freedom. The graves are „adopted" by locals for the relatives of the soldiers who are not able/have probably never visited the graves themselves. The graves are cleaned, flowers put and sometimes the story on the soldiers are mentioned. We must not forget. We must remember the soldiers who sacrificed..... 😔🙏🏼✌🏼

[@exploringtheforeign]

Wow, thank you for sharing your story! Really touching to hear the impact the video had on you. I've been once to the cemetery in Limburg; it was definitely really touching to see.

[@tlee4218]

Dank u wel Nederland I am american. Moved here in 1999 bc am smart. I could see how greedy capitalism was destroying america and allowing them to stay racist. Never forgiving their past or changing. We see it very clearly since 45. As a humane white woman I have NO regrets, feel no fear from men only friendship. Everyday I live here I say thank you to the universe for guiding me in the good direction for me.Thank you for being in a logical, humane country. xo

[@helenooft9664]

Thank you that you are in my country, as a New Dutch Person and enjoy live.

[@MichelBaek]

Great video Sam. Freedom should not be taken for granted. We live in a great country. Not saying it’s perfect. Enough topics to complain about like a real Dutchie but i still love NL more than any other country. 🇳🇱❤❤❤

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you, Michel!

[@erwintimmerman6466]

Wow. Amazing how well you (try to) understand the Dutch and show this to the rest of the world. You did a fantastic job with a good mix of information, emotion and stories, edited almost to perfection. It shows how important the Dutch find their freedom, and how well they realize it can't be taken for granted. Interest had been waning a bit for some time (especially in the 90s and the 00s) but was heavily reinforced after the Covid lockdowns and now the Ukraine war, both of which reminded us freedom can be taken away very easily, regardless of whether it's another country or a virus that's attacking you. Other countries that do this are Australia and New Zealand btw, they have their ANZAC day where they observe one minute of silence for all soldiers they lost in WWI (which was a lot relatively speaking, almost every family had or knew someone that didn't return). I'm not sure the whole country grinds to a standstill but most of it does.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you, Erwin! And thank you for that information about Australia and NZ, I wasn't aware of that.

[@mavadelo]

You are quickly becoming one of my favorite channels. Dank u wel "Oma" voor uw verhaal. Een hele warme knuffel vanuit Utrecht.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Wow dankjewel! En ik zal oma straks de knuffel geven.

[@keshams3665]

Your Dutch is great! Thank your for this beautiful documentation!

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you!

[@SuperPassionflower]

Dodenherdenking is voor mij altijd een heel belangrijke en erg emotionele dag geweest. ik ben na de 2e WO geboren en mijn roots liggen eigenlijk voornamelijk in het voormalige Nederlands-Indië waar mijn moeder en grootouders in de Japanse kampen hebben moeten zien te overleven, maar ook de jaren daarna tijdens de onafhankelijkheidsstrijd van Indonesie hebben zij veel hardship doorgemaakt voordat zij in 1953 daar weg moesten, "terug" naar Nederland waar de ontvangst eigenlijk ook weinig hartelijk was. Toch weet ik ook verhalen van de Nederlandse tak van mijn familie die hier in Nederland het zo zwaar hebben gehad tijdens de 2e WO. Omdat ik dus die gemengde voorgeschiedenis heb vier ik Dodenherdenking twee keer. Op 4 mei, maar ook op 15 augustus.

[@reneolthof6811]

Juiste toon en ijzersterk einde, alles op de goede golflengte. Your videos have grown immensely. Kudos!

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel René!

[@handsoapsoup5907]

Mooie video weer. Ik werk in de ouderenzorg en spreek dagelijks nog mensen die de oorlog hebben meegemaakt. Het ene verhaal nog schokkender dan het andere. Het is zelfs de reden dat ik ooit in de zorg ben gaan werken. Ik wilde iets terug doen voor al die mensen die ons land weer hebben opgebouwd na de oorlog, zodat ze niet vergeten worden. Ik werk ondertussen bijna 20 jaar in de zorg en ik ben nog iedere dag dankbaar dat ik dit mag doen.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel! En mooi dat je dat doet!

[@vbzwd24]

We are a proud people, eager to say what we want, when we want. On May 4th we celibrate our freedom and remember all the people who have fought and died for this freedom. We do so, by staying silent for 2 minutes. Not because we must, but because we can🙏! It always makes me feel very humble.

[@yvonnebirch6026]

Thank you Sam ! Great reporting ! I remember ! I was 10 when the war ended. I remember the cold ‘hunger winter’ . The last year of the war. My mom baked sugar beet cookies and she made syrup from sugar beets. It was a treat ! I remember the soup from the soup kitchen . Potato soup with the peels and some peas. I also remember the the allied forces liberating Amsterdam, the joy and the flags in the streets ! 🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱💕🌷🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you, Yvonne! I could imagine you connected a lot with the stories shared by Oma. That's really special to see.

[@TheCriticalPolitician]

Sam, I really hope you continue making these videos and develop as a documentary maker. Your work has gone well above the amateur level! Also an important topic this time. My mother is 96 and lived through the war as a teenager. She was 13 when the war started and 18 when it ended. She also lived in The Hague, just like your Oma, very close to the Atlantikwall where entire neighbourhoods were destroyed to build coastal defences for the Germans. During the 'Hongerwinter' in december 1944 she got shot trying to get some wood. Well, her coat got shot. The bullet just scratched her arm.. She kept the coat for years... She never told us much about the war but something happened that made a huge impression on me. When I was 22, I brought a new girlfriend home to meet my parents. My mum started crying when she heard she was Canadian...She just couldn't help herself. She still claims that the Germans have stolen her youth and she still is incredibly grateful to all allies who liberated her. It has been 78 years since the liberation, but I don't think people in The Netherlands will ever forget what happened.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Oh wow, thank you for that compliment! And thank you for sharing your family's stories. Really touching.

[@JaapGinder]

Dank je wel dat je dit aan de wereld bekend maakt, zoals je zegt: Vrijheid is niet vanzelfsprekend.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel Jaap!

[@hildelouisevrijs774]

Hele mooie vlog Sam, ik was er door ontroerd! En ja, ik heb me altijd vrij gevoeld in Nederland. Zelfs mijn achternaam zit VRIJ in….❤️ Het is echt erg dat niet iedereen op de wereld zich vrij kan en mag voelen!

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel Hilde! En je hebt gelijk.

[@ingridwatsup9671]

😢You got me there Sam! What an exceptional vid you’ve made, thank you. 4th of May is a special day on which we take a hard look at our privilege to live freely in this country. On this day (nowadays) we not only remember those who’ve died in WW2, but in all wars of the last century all over the world. This year the Sinti/Roma received the spotlight in the speech. The wreaths represented many. I wish 🇺🇸would have a annual Remembrance Day like this: their “fighters” deserve this kind of respect. Freedom is that very special gift that …. When it’s stolen ….paralyzes your life.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you, Ingrid! I'm glad you connected with the video. And in the US we have Memorial Day, which is meant to honor the soldiers who died in war😃

[@carolinavanderlande4904]

Great video again Sam. The memories of oma are also a great asset! My father was born in 1936 and my mother in 1938 so they also experienced the war as a child and told us a lot about it. They made sure we were always very aware that freedom was never to be taken for granted. It was even more interesting to me as a child that my grandfather was born in 1896 (he died in 1986 when I was 18). He lived very close to us, so I have had many conversations with him as a teenager about his experiences living through WW1 (when Netherlands was neutral) and WW2, and everything else that happened in the 20th century. He was my secret gateway to history. But I digress, it’s inevitable that eye witnesess are dying out, but it’s also hopefull to see that new generations are catching up.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you Carolina! And there's nothing like hearing stories about history from people who really experienced it.

[@Stefan-85]

Voor mij is vrijheid, dat ik elke dag de deur uit kan lopen zonder angst, verdriet of pijn 🌸

[@i.a.m.g.1862]

I really apriciete your videos showing some of Dutch traditions and culture. So many friends around me don't realize how much we have and I'm happy to discover it again myself through watching yours.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you! This is really nice to hear!

[@petrahartog5934]

I think it's important to remember the past . Freedom is not always they way it is for us today . And yes , I feel free . I can speak my opinion . I can go were I want . I can be myself . From Jewish origin and Austrian I'm a real mix of worlds . So .. Does it matter ? We all are human no matter what . Love your vids !

[@estherwittingen2573]

Ik vind dat je het echt heel goed in elkaar hebt gezet. Ik was er zelf ook bij en heb je zien lopen. Ik vind het goed dat je dit soort dingen ook laat zien op je kanaal. Ook fijn dat je iemand hebt kunnen interviewen. Het is namelijk echt heel belangrijk. Ga zo door met video's maken en heel erg bedankt voor deze video, het geeft een goed en duidelijk beeld van wat de dodenherdenking is.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Oh wauw, heel erg bedankt Esther. Ik was benieuwd als iemand die heeft me gezien opnemen zou straks dit video zien. Leuk om te horen dat je hebt het genoten.

[@michielhes8652]

Thank you very much for this video. It means a lot. As a Dutch person from Jewish descent, I really appreciaite your respectful and interested approach of this video. These days (May 4th and 5rh) are always very difficult for me and my family. I very much appreciate the way you engage in Dutch culture, including the moments/days we mourn.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you for watching and for the feedback. I could imagine it's not an easy topic to think about or discuss, but glad to hear you feel this video represents it in a good way.

[@Dirantasy]

To me freedom means, being able to be yourself. To be able to express who you are, what you love and what you believe in, without anyone hating you or stopping you. No matter what colour your skin is, no matter your faith, sex or sexual preference, everyone should be accepted as they are, as long as they do no harm.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you for sharing!

[@twenteeen]

Easily your most impressive video to date. This video is almost perfectly scripted and edited. A very important topic, and it's very interesting to see what foreigners think of our beautiful little country and our unique culture. Kudo's to you, and keep up the good work. You've got a new subscriber!

[@exploringtheforeign]

I'm smiling reading this!! Thank you!

[@abi219]

I love how you alternate between freedom at the Dam and Oma's words of occupation. Great vlog and very well done 👍 Freedom is not living with fear that you every word or every deed may have life threatening consequences.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you! And thank you for sharing your definition of freedom😃🙌🏾

[@AdvdW]

Wat een mooi en respectvolle reportage. De strijders en verzetshelden uit die tijd (de tweede wereld oorlog) zijn er steeds minder. Mensen worden oud en sterven. Daarom vind ik het steeds belangrijker dat deze twee dagen (04 & 05 mei) in ere wordt gehouden. Vrijheid is (helaas) niet vanzelfsprekend, we moeten hier allen een steentje aan bijdragen. Ik ben onze grootouders erg dankbaar dat zij niet hebben opgegeven en voor ons hebben gestreden. Als de Nazis hadden gewonnen, dan had ik niet geleefd. Niet alleen omdat ik wellicht niet geboren zou zijn, maar ook vanwege mijn handicap. In een modern en vrij land als Nederland, kan ik mijn leven leiden zoals ik dat wil. What a beautiful and respectful report. The fighters and resistance heroes from that time (the second world war) are fewer and fewer. People grow old and die. That's why I think its increasingly important that these two days (04 & 05 May) are honored. Freedom is (unfortunately) not self-evident, we all have to contribute to this. I am very grateful to our grandparents for not giving up and fighting for us. If the Nazis had won, I wouldn't have lived. Not only because I might not have been born, but also because of my handicap. In a modern and free country like the Netherlands, I can live my life the way I want.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you! And I agree; it's important to let future generations know about history.

[@Adrijean]

Het is een mooi en indrukwekkend verslag van dodenherdenking in Nederland. Het ontroerde me. Ik heb de verhalen van mijn ouders gehoord en ze maakte diepe indruk op mij. De foto's uit de concentratie kampen die mijn moeder als jong meisje zag en haar broertje die bijna dood ging van de honger. De afwezigheid van haar vader die gedwongen in Duitsland moest werken. Mijn vader heeft het als zijn missie opgepakt om jongeren te waarschuwen voor extreme ideeën, racisme en vreemdelingen haat. De ooggetuigen verhalen sterven langzaam uit. Aan ons te taak om het door te blijven geven. Bedankt voor jou prachtige bijdrage

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel! En dankjewel voor jouw verhaal!

[@alicia.3740]

3:28 This gentlemen said it right. You can do whatever you want but there are rules of course. Otherwise we would have total chaos. You can live the way you want but you also have to take each other into account.

[@matthijsbeets424]

Great video man! Personally as a Dutch person I am so thankfully for the peace that we can live in even when the world is a crazy place sometimes.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you! And thank you for sharing.

[@Ash89NL]

This is another beautiful video 🙏🏼🤩✨ Freedom for me means: being able to do what my heart wants to do. I feel I am a rich person, I am healthy, I have a healthy son, I work at a company where I am incredibly happy. I can take training and courses. I am free to make my own choices and free to wear what I want to wear. Freedom is so much encompassing. It is totally "normal" to a lot of people, but on days like this, I think about how not normal it is for so many more people. Who are still in war, who have lost someone during war. Who have escapet war. I am thank full for being a Dutchie, for being free.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you, Ashton! And thank you for your response about freedom.

[@lukassanting7506]

Some of the culture clashes around this are interesting, like how do tourists behave when this happens? This year I was having a beer with colleagues on dodenherdenking, and so when 20:00 hit we were all quiet. It was the center of Utrecht, so quite touristy. Next to us on one side was a Chinese family, and there was a French couple on the other. The Chinese family looked around confused but quickly figured it out and remained respectfully quiet. The French couple looked at us as if we were a museum attraction and kept on chattering away in French as though nothing was up. You can't blame them if they don't realise of course, but it's interesting to see the difference.

[@chantiemaya]

This really touched me. I appreciate how well you understand this. thank you!

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you for watching; I'm glad the video connected with you!

[@wolfy121]

Ik vind het geweldig dat je hiervoor internationale aandacht voor aan besteedt. Ook met het interview met je oma, zeer ontroerend. Ik zelf was een scout die de tweede krans voor het verzet heb aangegeven op de dam. De stilte was indrukwekkend. Mogen dit nooit meer gebeuren.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel! En ik ben in akkoord!

[@nfboogaard]

Ontroerend verslag, mooie interviews, je oma stal de show! Ontzettend belangrijk om te horen wat een afschuwelijke dingen gebeurd zijn.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel Nielsi!

[@jeffreygroen9191]

This video is very honoring and humbling at the same time. My grandparents all survived the war, but nobody liked to talk about it. I sometimes feel we have failed to properly document what really happened during the war. Nowadays our view of WW2 is a karikatur of what actually went on in peoples daily lives. It's an honour to hear the story of your oma, a normal girl in a very dark chapter in our modern history.

[@lolalilolily]

My aunt had graduated high school the year before the war started. She told me half of the boys from her year died on the Grebbeberg 😢 Since WWII so many wars have happened, it's just so sad. We can remember, but humans don't learn 😢

[@exploringtheforeign]

Oh wow, that's sad.

[@ruurdsanders]

Weer een geweldige video die heel goed vastlegt wat 4-5 mei voor ons betekend als Nederlanders. Wat bijzonder dat je dit zo kan vastleggen 👍

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel Ruurd!

[@wgsips]

Thx for doing this video.. and great you got to interview "your" oma, bless her!

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you, Wendy!

[@Sapharone]

Je maakt mooie rapportages. Blijf zo doorgaan!

[@DikWhite]

Excellent video, Sam, and wonderful that you included your chat with Oma recounting her memories of the war. The herdenking on the Dam was moving to observe. Well done.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you as always, Dik! :)

[@Mello-208]

Ik ben zelf niet persoonlijk verbonden met de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Twee overgrootouders die de oorlog hebben meegemaakt, heb ik wel gekend maar zijn inmiddels ook overleden. Ik heb hun nooit over de oorlog gevraagd. Ik ben nu 22 en ik wil dat ik dat wel had gedaan, maar als kind en puber ben je niet echt bezig met hoe belangrijk zulke verhalen zijn. Mijn familie volgt de Dodenherdenking altijd via de tv en van mijn ouders (vooral mijn vader) moesten mijn zus en ik altijd om minstens 19.55 voor de tv zitten zodat we aanwezig waren bij de 2 minuten stilte en dat we ook twee minuten stil waren. Ik ben heel dankbaar dat hij hier op heeft gehamerd.

[@NanuliAvalishvili]

My dad worked in a military so this is very important to him. I'm so glad that the camping where we were staying celebrated it!

[@joop7143]

How respectfully you did this. What a nice interview with Oma. I wish the interview was much bigger. You cannot imagine what she saw and experienced with her own eyes. There aren't many eyewitnesses left. It is precisely then that these kinds of stories are good to be told and recorded for posterity.

[@igorabasjidze1194]

Don't over dramatise her story. Seeing marching German's over streets of The Hague doesn't make you a war witness.

[@joop7143]

@@igorabasjidze1194 Daar verschillen wij dan van mening. Geen probleem.

[@igorabasjidze1194]

@@joop7143 Dat zeker. Want mijn opa heeft Slag om Moskou in de winter van 1941 meegemaakt. Stalingrad in 1943 en bestorming van Sevastopol in 1944. Sommige mensen hebben een echte oorlog gezien en meegemaakt. Kameraden verloren... Veel malen erger dan naar marcheerde Duitsers te kijken in veilige Den Haag. Even over "..cannot imagine and experienced with own eyes" gesproken.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you, Joop! And @Igor Abasjidze I don't think it's really necessary to compare people's stories. Everything that happened during this period is unfortunate and all stories to recount it are valid, not important to say who had it the worst in my opinion.

[@igorabasjidze1194]

@@exploringtheforeign you see it's hard not to compare the story's because there is a huge difference between people who didn't do much to stop the Nazi's (the Dutchys) and people who looked them in the eye, fought them and stopped them (like my granddad did) with all my respect. You should of asked those people on the streets another question. A follow up question like; if the Netherlands would be attacked like Ukraine would you be prepared to risk and eventually give up your life to protect the country? The answer is that just 16% of Dutch are prepared to fight and defend their country. That's it. 16%

[@Konaboy]

Great video showing the culture and history of the Netherlands👍

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you!

[@JaneFokster]

Beautiful video, Sam. Very impressive. It really captures what the 4th & 5th of May mean to NL. Wonderful job. I do hope that this country doesn't forget the important lessons WWII taught us, now that the generation that lived through the war is slowly disappearing. Btw, if you ever get the chance I highly recommend visiting the Verzetsmuseum in Amsterdam. It's not just about heroic acts of resistance, but also gives a lot of food for thought about what YOU would do in certain situations. Do you comply, collaborate or resist? Not a very cheerful subject, but honestly, it's worth it.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you, Jane! And I'm going to have a look into that museum; I never heard of it until now. But it sounds really interesting.

[@Focusonbehind]

We're still very glad the Canadians and the soldiers from the USA liberated us. This was a very nice video. Thank you.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you, Niels!

[@ingridwatsup9671]

Niels: we were also liberated by the English and Polish; and indirectly by the Russians. The last two lost the most lives in %

[@johnverhoef]

Really appreciate you displaying my little country by the sea in such a respectful and kind manner. Thank you so much for that, young man!

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you for this feedback!

[@cherylh.1537]

Wow!!!! Sammy you did it again!!! Continue to represent the people and The Netherlands for their uniqueness❤❤

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you❤️❤️❤️

[@Feeburgproducties]

This was Amsterdam, the event for TV. Also the king and queen are there too. But in every city, even in small villages, events like this are held at WW2 monuments, and everywhere a trumpet player is playing "het Taptoe signaal" and the whole country goes silent at 20.00. I dont think there is any other country in the world that is doing, or can do something like this.

[@igorabasjidze1194]

Yeah, if the war is so horrible why is your government (Dutchies) are holding 40 F16 that could make a huge difference in Ukraine and save thousands of lives? Crying crocodile tears every 4th of may doesn't change anything

[@therealdutchidiot]

@@igorabasjidze1194 Because it's not. The Netherlands doesn't even OWN 40 F16s. It owns 24 of them in total, and not all of them can just be given away. We still have our own uses for them in daily life. The debate is mostly about how much we actually HAVE to keep. It's not about whether or not to ship off F16s.

[@igorabasjidze1194]

@@therealdutchidiot people, soldiers are dying there every f..cking day... and you, Dutchies are still debating about how much of the F16th you actually have to keep?? To fight whom? Ze Germans? You can't even make ONE ballsy step in your history without asking Americans for permission first! That's just pathetic. I wonder how you Dutchies would feel, back in the day 1945, if American, British, Canadians and Polish soldiers in stead of saving your asses from the Nazi's would starting a debate; should we risk our lives liberating Holland or should we just wait and see what happens? Next year maybe. ..stop being cowards for once, take a good drink of "Dutch Courage" and give those damn plains to people who are willing to fight for your democracy and freedom too.

[@likeahike]

Wat een prachtige video. Bedankt hiervoor. Bijzonder om de verhivan hé oma zo te horen.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel!

[@jdj8168]

love the topics you cover and the way you incorporate both serious and more lighthearted things into your videos

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you!

[@MartijnFrazer]

Wow supergoed man. 4 mei is heel erg belangrijk en dit soort videos helpen het in leven te houden. Wat vrijheid betreft: een belangrijk onderdeel is de vrijheid voor mensen om naar dit land te kunnen komen.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel! En dankjewel voor delen.

[@Mrevolva]

Yo, this video got me ( lol i am not crying ) did not expect this awesome video

[@exploringtheforeign]

Really means a lot to hear this! I'm glad you enjoyed.

[@gert-janschot3201]

Once again beautiful video!

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel!

[@mylifesboring9125]

Ik vind het oprecht heel cool dat je gewoon geintereseerd bent in ons en onze cultuur. Ik zie nooit zulke mensen! bedankt joh en blijf zo door gaan je doet het geweldig!!

[@exploringtheforeign]

Wauw, dankjewel!! :)

[@MoreAussieTash]

Mate this video and your channel was suggested to me by one of my discord members. It is an incredible video, I loved reacting to it. I am an Aussie KZbinr and just loved reacting to this video. Your channel is amazing, cheers from Brisbane, Australia :)

[@exploringtheforeign]

I really appreciate this! I just wanted to let you know that I saw your reaction video and found it very very touching! Thank you!

[@natasjavanderhoek6966]

Dank je wel. Dit heb je mooi geedit. Vrijheid is erg belangrijk. En iets om dankbaar voor te zijn.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel!

[@vlinder6329]

Vrijheid 🇳🇱 Geef je door 🇳🇱🌷🇳🇱 🕊️Vrijheid is een geschenk Ermee omgaan is een verantwoordelijkheid! 🍃 Freedom 🇳🇱 Pass on 🇳🇱🌷🇳🇱 🕊️ Freedom is a gift Dealing with it is a responsibility! 🍃

[@cindylunatic6693]

thank you for documenting such an important day for our country.

[@sum1191]

Excellent video.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you, pops!

[@patediale]

Nice work dude.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you!

[@Nikki.H]

Freedom feels so fragile sometimes 😔 I'm fortunate to have been born at all. My grandfather was in a concentration camp as a child, together with his sisters and mother, an English woman. She was the only reason they survived at all, his father had been murdered there like so many others, all his nieces and nephews too. My grandmother was born in the middle of the war, her family was in hiding for the Nazis and risked being found or ratted out by neighbors if any sound indicated someone living there. So my grandmother wasn't allowed to cry as a baby, it could've meant their end. I haven't had to go through my grandparents horrific experiences, but i feel very much for them and watching media or reading stories about WW2 shakes me up immensely. I even had a nightmare at some point of what my brain thought it would be like to be burned alive in a furnace the Nazis used to get rid of the bodies. I don't think i have the heart to watch more on the war, no matter how beautiful or acclaimed it is. I simply can't handle the nightmares that my overactive imagination serves me up in response 😅

[@ingridwatsup9671]

Nikki, you were born for a reason! Focus on that and try to live a happy life please ❤

[@NJ-bu7zw]

Well done. Thank you for this.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you! And thank you for watching.

[@Linda85H]

Mijn zoon heeft dit jaar een krans gelegd tijdens de nationale kinderherdenking in Madurodam. Trots als een pauw was en ben ik! En vooral dat dit ook voor kinderen wordt georganiseerd, zodat dit hopelijk nog generaties blijft bestaan ❤️. Hen herdenken die zijn omgekomen in de oorlog en de vrijheid vieren blijft belangrijk.

[@chaosmisha]

What a beautofully respectful video. And thank you 'oma' for sharing your story!

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you!

[@chris210352]

Thankyou so much for this video! Hartelijk dank voor deze video. Mijn moeder was ook in 1932 geboren, en ik groeide op met de verhalen van de oorlog. Hopelijk nooit meer!

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel voor het kijken!

[@Gisela_aka_gies]

I had to work and we turned of our phones for 2 minutes..Nobody could call us...Most dutch people really do take those 2 minutes..Out of respect of so many lost lives...Great video. Thank you

[@ElMariachi1337]

I can relate to your Dutch grandma, my father grew up in the war aswell, Amsterdam, same horrible stories ... Until this day he refuses to eat hutspot because it reminds him of the food he had as a kid in the war.

[@hugotendam5349]

As a Dutch person, I do believe in celebrating our freedom and remembering, but I also believe that freedom everywhere should be seen as normal and that we shouldn't be tricked into thinking that it isn't. We can become complacent and start to believe that wars and subjugation are 'normal' things. We shouldn't ever accept it!!!

[@gamenmetbritt3491]

Thank youim dutch too 2 min no any sound i did that too its respect to the lost soldiers🙏🏻❤

[@tenshyun]

Great video! a very good capture of this very important day.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you!

[@M0101EP]

Bedankt voor dese mooie video en het verhaal van je oma.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel voor het kijken!

[@Wielie0305]

Mooie reportage met oma. Vrijheid is mogen zijn wie je bent, zeggen wat je denkt en kunnen stemmen op diegene die het meest bij jou past. Het is erg broos, zeker nu er weer machten zijn die het tegenovergestelde willen in deze wereld. Er werd mij, net als alle andere kinderen, al jong geleerd om stil te zijn op 4 mei en te herdenken. Het is echt een moment om stil te staan bij de privileges die je hebt en ook vaak vergeet in je dagelijks leven. Mensen hebben de hoogste prijs betaald voor het feit dat ik mag zijn wie ik ben. Mijn vader nam mij als tiener mee naar museum Auschwitz. Sinds die tijd ben ik er veel vaker geweest met vrienden en familie. Daar word je op het hart gedrukt dat niets vanzelfsprekend is en dat vrijheid een groot goed is. Deze zomer ga ik er weer heen samen met mijn jongste dochter. Met name kamp Birkenau is indrukwekkend en confronterend.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel! En dankjewel voor deze verhalen delen. Ik heb ook de Buy Me A Coffee gezien en ik hoop dat je weet dat ik ben heel dankbaar voor jouw steun.

[@Just_Flipy]

the ENTIRE country is silent and I don't think people in other countrie sunderstand that EVERYONE, evenif you're driving, just steer to the side and wait on the side of the road. I have never seen a car ride during those two minutes in my life.

[@Blackadder75]

to be honest , I sometimes forget about it . But I don't go outdoors, making noise , it's just that I am on my own a lot and I might be focussed on something and not realize it;s May 4th...

[@dareal5401]

maybe because you were not on the highway, because ive seen alot

[@Just_Flipy]

@@dareal5401 there are some tourists who have no clue wtf is going on

[@dareal5401]

@@Just_Flipy all of them in cars with dutch registration?

[@huisbaasbob1923]

Een van mijn buren vond 20:00 wel een mooi moment om de subwoofer aan te zetten. Erg storend.

[@saskiapanter]

My parents were born in 1941 in Tilburg, near Den Bosch. They were only 3 when they were liberated in October 1944, they were lucky to not have to go to that extreme winter without food, but they did know other people in the country did die of starvation in those months. My mom remembers the V1 rockets very well. Always terrified the sound would stop, several of those V1 rockets/bombs ended up destroying parts of our city Tilburg, one hit a part very near to where my mother lived. My dad, he was 2,5 has had a gun pressed against his head because he said the word rotmof to a german soldier. His brothers said he wouldn't say it, so he did, the soldier was an a-hole for doing what he did, thankfully an older brotger snatched my father away from the soldier and the gun. I can tell you so much more. So many stories trom 2 toddlers. You can only imagine how many scary and horrible stories every citizen who lived then have and had.

[@Humty2K]

Ik zat dit jaar in een restaurantje met vrienden op 5 mei en ze hadden de TV hard aan zodat iedereen de trompet kon horen en het hele restaurant stopte voor 2 minuten en iedereen was stil. Dat was toch wel indrukwekkend.

[@vullings1968]

Beautiful video Sam, you captured the essence very well indeed in this short video.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you!

[@taeharte7501]

Great video! As human beings we must always remember that rights comes with plights - if you want freedom, you have the plight to think 'which freedom and freedom of what? Always think of principles (things that are universal and don't chance

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you!

[@liavanson8687]

Wat mooi! Blij met deze bijdrage. Het is zo belangrijk dat we de denkbeelden die ten grondslag lagen aan de tweede Wereldoorlog niet meer in deze tijd toestaan tot volkerenmoord aan te zetten.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel Lia!

[@koensuykerbuyk7063]

Fantastisch!!!! Prachtige reportage. Heeeeeeel mooi. 1 woord; WOW. Thanks

[@mikepictor]

Ik was bij de Canadese begraafplaats net buiten Groesbeek. Ik kom uit Canada, dus het was een speciale en betekenisvol dag. Een band van Canada speelt muziek voor de ceremonie. Voor de ceremonie looped een paar honderd mensen van de stadhuis tot de begraafplaats in een stilletocht, ongeveer 30 minuten te lopen, geen praten.

[@charlesmolen5482]

Mooie video Sam.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel, Charles!

[@jcd57]

Freedom is very precious and we must keep telling ourselfs just that. In order to never take it for granted. Every day I pass a elementary school seeing parents take their children to school or picking them up. Children of all gender and colour play out on the grounds. Parents talking and going about their daily business. It always makes me happy and thankfull to see this freedom. Knowing not every child is that lucky.

[@mazi2646]

Deze video is super mooi. Dankje voor het maken😀

[@exploringtheforeign]

Dankjewel!

[@suzettebakelaar]

Hi Sam, Thanks for letting Highly Combustible Reacts react to this video. I think you made a very respectful video, well done! And freedom what does it mean to me. Like many said that I can go where I want and do what I want and say what I want (but respectful ofcourse). And not to forget that I can browse the internet and see videos like yours!

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you, Suzette! And nice answer! :)

[@johnstafford7288]

We that were born after the war it means less than the people actually there at the time i have an old friend here 90 that served in the British air force he knows the joys of celebration when it finished. Yes i'm grateful for the freedom i have when i see so many countries that dont have it. I hope your friends visit was also free that they could at least decline the dreaded herring lol. I didnt know you know such important people by the way Obama was here the same time commenting that he celebrated kings day also. Have a great weekend Sam

[@exploringtheforeign]

Haha no herring for my friends who visited. And I went to the event for Obama in Amsterdam, but no photo or interview haha.

[@exploringtheforeign]

And thanks! Have a great weekend as well.

[@Joey-ct8bm]

There's also a day where allied soldiers all over the world are invited who were in operation Market Garden. They ever reenact those days with paratroopers and everything. The people who were portrait in Band of Brothers are invited every year. Would be a great place to do interviews.

[@exploringtheforeign]

Interesting! Where's this?

[@exploringtheforeign]

Thank you!

[@Joey-ct8bm]

@@exploringtheforeign Ede on the Ginkelse heide. It's mid september around the 17th. Day can change because they do it on saturdays. I think it's on the 16th this year.

[@RogierJanssen]

My grandparents were young adults during the war. They never really talked about it, so I barely know what it was like for them. My mom's parents lived in Nijmegen, a city that was accidentally bombed by the Allies in 1944, with almost as many casualties as were caused by the bombing of Rotterdam by the Germans. I know my grandfather used to distribute the food coupons there and he may have smuggled some of them to some people in need, but he hardly spoke about it. Now I think they may just not have wanted to burden their grandchildren with their stories of war, the hardship, the fear... Unfortunately all my grandparents have passed away, so I can't ask them anymore. My parents were born a few years after the war, when the country was building back up. It's not long ago at all and the older I get the more I actually realise that. I try to teach my own children of 8 and 6 years old how lucky we are to live in freedom. They were also silent for two minutes on May 4th when we watched the Dodenherdenking at Dam Square. They might not totally understand, but they respect it and were impressed by the silence.