Freedom, what does that mean to you?

On May 5th we celebrate freedom. Today it is exactly 80 years ago that the Netherlands was liberated from the German occupation. Five long years of fear, scarcity and oppression ended on that one historic day in 1945. But freedom is not something to be taken for granted, as we know all too well by now.

80 years in freedom

For many people today, war is a thing of the past – a chapter from a history book. But in the impressive video below from the Resistance Museum Amsterdam, that past comes uncomfortably close. You hear stories from people who experienced the war and young people today who wonder: Would you fight for your freedom?

War through the eyes of young people

In the video you see how young people reflect on the Second World War and how they talk to people like Pieter Moleveld, who really experienced the war. You hear about daily life during the occupation, the impact of the persecution of the Jews and how it felt to no longer be able to dance, listen to music or come together. Things that are so obvious to us now.

Illia, a young Ukrainian who recently experienced a war, also speaks. It puts everything into perspective: freedom is not something from back then, it is also from now.

Young people in resistance

What struck me most: the young people who risked their lives in the resistance during the war. Not superheroes from a movie, but real people of flesh and blood. Just like you and me. Young people with dreams, fears, hope.

The liberation and after

The liberation on 5 May 1945 was a celebration – but also a moment of mourning and confusion. Because not everyone came home, and the scars were deep. And while the flags were flying here, the war in Asia raged on for months. Freedom did not come everywhere at the same time.

What does freedom mean to you?

This video raises a question that is not easy to answer: Would you fight for your freedom? A question that is not just about weapons or war, but about standing up for what you think is important. For justice, for each other, for humanity.

So, today – on Liberation Day – take a moment to reflect. Not just on the past, but also on the present. And ask yourself that one question.

💬 What does freedom mean to you?