On Wednesday 14 April the Landelijk Moluks Monument foundation (LMM) and the Moluks Historisch Museum foundation (MHM) sent a letter to some 100 mayors asking them to make a financial contribution to a national Moluccan monument at the Lloydkade in Rotterdam. The monument marks the large-scale arrival of the first generation of Moluccans who came to the Netherlands in 1951.
The request from the two foundations is a response to the Mayors' Moluccan Letter of 8 April 2021, in which the new government is asked to acknowledge the cold reception and undignified accommodation in the Netherlands of 70 years ago.
We feel the time has come to bring this historic event to light. Out of respect and recognition for the first generation of Moluccans and their families
The monument at the Lloydkade should be a place where the Moluccan story of pride, pain, perspective, future and hope is given a visible place. LMM chairman Yordi Tahamata: 'We feel the time has come to bring this historic event to light. Out of respect and recognition for the first generation of Moluccans and their families.' MHM chair of the board Kaja Sariwating is glad of the attention being paid to Moluccan suffering: 'The monument is there for everyone who feels supported and encouraged to keep the history and culture alive – particularly for the younger generation.'
LMM is raising funds to realise a national monument at the Lloydkade this year. On 21 March, MHM organised the livestream #betadisini to mark 70 years of Moluccan presence in the Netherlands. With the help of a subsidy from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, MHM coordinates the commemorative year '70 years of Moluccans in the Netherlands'. MHM and LMM have been working together since 21 March.
The monument is there for everyone who feels supported and encouraged to keep the history and culture alive – particularly for the younger generation
More information about the National Moluccan Monument can be found here. The joint letter from LMM and MHM can be read here.
