Activities
agenda

April 22, 2024 | 10.00 - 12.15 hrs | Huis van de Gemeente Dronten

 

On Monday, April 22, the adoption transfer of the Kite Monument will take place. Elementary school De Tamarisk from Biddinghuizen, will hand over the care to elementary school De Dukdalf from Dronten. Representatives of grade 7 from elementary school in the municipality of Dronten are invited to attend. There will be a speech by and conversation with Mayor Gebben. Gert Talens tells about the story of Kitchen and Williamson (one of the planes found near the Vossemeerdijk). Tjerk Zwanenburg, son of former recovery officer Gerrit Zwanenburg, talks about his father's work and shows items found during the recoveries. 

22 to 26 April, 2024

 

The students of class 3 of VMBO TL, HAVO and VWO of the Ichthus College in Dronten, participate this week in a poem contest. After a guest lesson provided by Stichting 4 Mei Herdenking Dronten in cooperation with Stichting Veteranen Gemeente Dronten, the students are going to write a poem in the theme of the annual theme of the National Committee 4 and 5 May 'Freedom Tells'. Ten will be nominated and a jury will choose the poem that will be read on May 4 during the commemoration in Dronten on the Meerpaalplein. 

April 24, 2024 | 13.30 - 16.30 hrs | Aat de Jonge Swimming Pool

 

The Zuiderzeeswemmers (ZZZ) will organize the annual swimming competition for the Airgunnerstrofee on Wednesday afternoon, April 24. Groups 8 of elementary school in the municipality of Dronten are invited to participate. 

May 2, 2024 | De Regenboog residential care centre | Dronten

 

Board members of the 4 May Remembrance Foundation Dronten will give a lecture on the story of the Lancaster ED357 and the work of the 4 May Remembrance Foundation Dronten. 

2 to 5 May 2024

 

William Ward, one of the crew members of the Lancaster ED 357 (of the Airmen's Monument) used to attend school at Stewart's Melville College. Since 2019 there is contact with this school. In November 2022, students from Almere College went on exchange to this school in Edinburgh. This week students from Stewart's Melville College will come to Dronten for the second time.

May 4, 2024 | 4:30-11:00 pm | The Meerpaal

 

Guests are welcome in De Meerpaal from 4.30 pm to attend the program for May 4:

• 16.30-17.00 Walk-in

• 17.00-18.00 Bread meal

• 18.00-19.15 Memorial meeting

• 19.30-20.30 Commemoration on the Meerpaalplein

• 20.30-22.00 Informal gathering in De Meerpaal

May 4, 2024 | 18.00 - 19.15 hrs| Theater De Meerpaal | Dronten

 

The memorial service will start at 6pm in the main hall of De Meerpaal. Besides invited guests, this gathering is open to everyone.  On the basis of the annual theme of the national 4 and 5 May committee 'Vrijheid vertelt' (Freedom Tells a Story), this theme will be interpreted in a varied and dignified way. There will be a speech by the Queen's Commissioner Arjen Gerritsen. There will also be music by Renzo and Romar Boswijk and dance from De Meerpaal's Dance Lab. There are contributions from the schools and the Stichting Veteranen Gemeente Dronten. Tineke Stuifzand takes attendees through the programme.

May 4, 2024 | 7:30-8:45 pm | Meerpaalplein

 

The ceremony will take place on the Meerpaalplein. A few minutes before 20.00 city poet Marjolein Westendorp reads a poem. After the Last Post, the 2 minutes of silence and the national anthems, wreaths are laid at the monument. Mayor Gebben concludes with a speech. The square is supported by, among others, the Flevo-Scouts, the Flevo's Men's Choir, Maris Sonores and De Eendracht. Omroep Flevoland broadcasts the commemoration.

May 5, 2024 | 13.00 - 16.00 hrs | The Meerpaal square Dronten

 

On 5 May, Stichting 4 Mei Herdenking Dronten organises a Freedom Meal for the first time. The Freedom Meal is an initiative of the National Committee 4 and 5 May. The aim of a Freedom Meal is to create special encounters where people discuss freedom and lack of freedom. Everyone is welcome to drop by on 5 May, see the wreaths at the monument, eat the Freedom Soup and engage in conversation. Further information will follow. 

May 23, 2024 | from 18.45 hrs | Theatre De Meerpaal Dronten

 

Every year on 4 May, an impressive 4 May commemoration takes place in Dronten at the Kite Monument. In 2024 it will be the 60th time. Impressive and special, partly due to the presence of Airgunners, who were regular guests of honour at the commemoration for many years. To mark the end of this special period and as a thank you for years of hospitality, the municipal council is offering the host families a musical evening on Thursday 23 May in De Meerpaal.