Festive conclusion of project Wyldemerck
On Saturday 17 June 2023 the results of the archaeology project 'Wyldemerck: searching together for barracks in the woods' were presented at Museum Sophiahof. After a remarkable period of research with field inspections and excavations, participants, former residents and others interested in (project) Wyldemerck came together for a festive conclusion with music and dance.
The Wyldemerck final report
On this sunny Saturday the final report of the unique Wyldemerck archaeology project was presented. A project in which former residents, at the request of the Dutch Forestry Commission (SBB), carried out their own research into their former camp near Balk in Friesland. The report contains results and advice to the Forestry Commission, written by Jobbe Wijnen and Marjolijn Kok of Moluks Erfgoed and the participants. A copy was officially handed to Bram Verhave, adviser on landscape and cultural history at the Forestry Commission. Besides the Forestry Commission, Arjan de Zeeuw (Cultural Heritage Agency) and Dorien Haagsma (policy adviser at the municipality of De Fryske Marren) also received a printed version of the report. Curious about the final report? The report is public and available online.
Programme
More than 200 guests from every corner of the Netherlands came to The Hague for this festive conclusion of project Wyldemerck. Guests of honour Bram Verhave, Arjan de Zeeuw and Dorien Haagsma were accompanied on arrival by the cakalele group of Hadrad. The day was filled with words of praise from participants and various guests (of honour), a recital by a grandson of a former resident of the Wyldemerck camp, performances by the dance groups Hadrad and Dana Dana and a musical performance by Warisan Maluku. After the final presentation it was time to be together and share memories. Photographer Kaja Sariwating recorded the day.
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Jobbe Wijnen and Marjolein Kok on project Wyldemerck: *"As coordinators we are very happy with how the project went. Almost every wind was behind this project, it seems, from funding and execution to the Grote Archeologieprijs, the mention in Uslu's letter to parliament and the way the participants eventually ran with the project themselves. All of that became possible partly thanks to your help, and for that we are very grateful." *
A sequel to project Wyldemerck?
A core group of participants has said that they do not see this festive conclusion as the end of project Wyldemerck: it is in fact the beginning. On their own initiative they have already started a follow-up in which the Moluccan women come together and their stories are recorded. They are also staying in touch with the Forestry Commission about the redevelopment of the Wyldemerck. Museum Maluku will advise on that.
Watch a video report of the day below.
Project Wyldemerck wins archaeology prize
On Sunday 25 September 2022 the former Moluccan residents of the Wyldemerck camp were able to carry out archaeological research into their former home themselves.
