Stichting 4 Mei Herdenking Dronten has finalized the program for the Remembrance of the Dead on May 4, 2026. On May 4, we commemorate the victims of the Second World War, the colonial war in Indonesia, and those who have died in wars and peacekeeping missions since then. We reflect on the fact that the Netherlands was liberated through the efforts of military personnel from Allied countries, with support from the resistance. We recognize that our freedom was regained in 1945, but that in many parts of the world, war continues to this day. Freedom is never finished; it is up to all of us to work on it every day.

In this message, we inform you about the program and activities taking place on and around May 4, 2026.

Involvement of all schools in the Municipality of Dronten
This year, all schools in the Municipality of Dronten are involved in the activities of Stichting 4 Mei Herdenking Dronten.

For many years, primary schools have been involved in the adoption of the Airmen’s Monument. On April 20, De Brandaris will transfer responsibility for the monument to De Flevosprong. During a gathering at the municipal building of Dronten, children from various primary schools will engage in conversation with Mayor Gebben. They will also attend a guest lecture by Tjerk Zwanenburg about aircraft recovery during the reclamation of the polder. Gert Talens will tell the story of Kitchen and Williamson, the crew members of a De Havilland Mosquito that crashed on November 27, 1944, at what is now the Vossemeerdijk.

For the third year, 10 students and 2 teachers from Stewart’s Melville College will come to Dronten to attend the commemoration and take part in an exchange with Almere College. 

Ichthus College is organizing a poetry competition for the third time for third-year students of vmbo-tl, havo, and vwo. From a selection of ten nominated poems, a jury will choose a winning entry. This poem will be recited during the ceremony on May 4 at the square.

Landstede MBO Het Perron is involved this year in interviewing elderly residents from Swifterbant, Biddinghuizen, and Dronten. Students will speak with them and write articles that will be published in the Flevopost in the lead-up to May 4.

Students from Aeres University of Applied Sciences are actively involved in the commemoration on May 4 and are responsible for the 450 poppy crosses placed near the Airmen’s Monument on May 4 and 5 since 2025. These crosses bear the names of Airgunners who visited Dronten between 1977 and 2022. This follows the British tradition of placing poppy crosses on Remembrance Day, November 11, in honor of those who died in the First World War and subsequent conflicts.

Commemorative gathering
On May 4, 2026, a commemorative gathering will take place at De Meerpaal prior to the ceremony on the square. The gathering starts at 18.00 in the main hall and is open to everyone. The national theme for May 4 and 5, “Learning to understand history,” is central. The program offers a meaningful and varied interpretation of this theme.

There will be contributions from Stefan van der Leeden, history teacher at Almere College Dronten, René de Graaf, veteran, Gert Talens, storyteller, and Anouk den Bakker, primary school teacher at De Flevosprong. They will reflect on how history remains visible today and why that matters.

The program includes a dance performance by the dance school of De Meerpaal, musical contributions by Theaterschool KARAKTER and Soul Society. The gathering will be hosted by Marleen Vos. Free tickets are available via De Meerpaal.

Ceremony at Meerpaalplein

The ceremony at Meerpaalplein starts at 19.30. Mayor Gebben will give a speech and a student from Ichthus College will recite a poem. After the Last Post, the two minutes of silence, and the national anthems, wreaths will be laid at the monument.

Participants on the square include Flevo-Scouts, Flevo’s Mannenkoor, Maris Sonores, and De Eendracht. Omroep Flevoland will broadcast the commemoration live. Veterans and active service members from the Municipality of Dronten will be present. A large screen will be available to follow the ceremony from a distance.

Flypasts
On May 4, a flypast by an aircraft of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will take place over Biddinghuizen, event grounds at 18.00, Dronten, Meerpaalplein at 18.06, and Swifterbant, De Greente at 18.11.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is a special unit of the British Royal Air Force. They keep historic Second World War aircraft flying as a tribute to the crews who served. They operate original or restored aircraft and appear at commemorations, ceremonies, and air shows. They keep history alive in the air rather than in a museum. Which aircraft will take part will be confirmed around May 4. All flights are subject to weather conditions and aircraft safety.

A few minutes after 20.00, Tom van der Meulen will fly over in a Harvard, a historic training aircraft. Around 20.20, the Edambusters will fly over.

Freedom meals on May 5
On May 5, Liberation Day, activities take place across the country, ranging from small gatherings to large events, including freedom meals. The core of a freedom meal is a shared table where participants talk about freedom and lack of freedom. People meet new faces, listen to each other’s stories, and get to know one another better. It is an initiative of the National Committee for May 4 and 5.

Stichting 4 Mei Herdenking Dronten is involved in the following freedom meals.
Freedom soup at the Airmen’s Monument. From 13.00 to 16.00, freedom soup will be served at the Airmen’s Monument at Meerpaalplein. No registration is required.
Freedom soup in Biddinghuizen. From 12.00 to 13.30, freedom soup will be served at Stichting Sociaal Domein, Plein 26 to 28.