This project, initiated by the municipality of The Hague, aims to highlight monuments in the city and reflect on their significance. In October, a column with a mirror will be installed at three monuments in turn. This mirror invites passersby to literally reflect on themselves, the meaning behind the monument, and the question: what would I have done?
The Hague boasts over 600 works of art and monuments in public spaces. Sculptures, plaques, and statues convey a message and connect the past and present. MoNUment invites passersby, both literally and figuratively, to look in the mirror and reflect on the monument’s meaning. Besides providing a reflection, the mirror column also offers information about the monument and provocative questions.
The lessons of Johan de Witt
The first mirror stands at the statue of Johan de Witt on De Plaats, opposite the Binnenhof. This monument commemorates his violent death in 1672, a turning point in Dutch history and the penultimate political assassination in our country. The statue confronts us with questions that are still relevant today: how do we maintain dialogue during disagreements? What does democracy mean? And how do we protect freedom of speech?
“Monuments aren’t silent stones; they hold up a mirror to us,” says Alderwoman Saskia Bruines (Culture and Heritage). “Especially in a time when division and polarization are visible, reflection helps us maintain our connection with each other and with our history.”
Opening and reflection
The project was officially launched at Museum Bredius. Alongside Alderman Bruines, initiator David Vriesendorp and author Mira Feticu shared their perspectives on the significance of the monuments and the power of reflection. Micha, the mayor of Madurodam, also shared his perspective on the theme of freedom of speech. Following the event, the first mirror column was unveiled at De Plaats. Passersby were able to engage in direct discussions about topics such as democracy, power, and polarization.
A journey through the city
After Johan de Witt, the mirror column will be moved to the National Monument for the Royal Netherlands Navy in Scheveningen on October 3rd and to the monument for Major Thomson in Segbroek on October 24th. Each of these locations tells its own story and creates a different connection between the past and the present.
Read more about the MoNUment project and the monuments at www.denhaag.nl/projectmonument
These three monuments have now been selected for the pilot of the project. But
The Hague boasts many other monuments with various themes and subjects. View them atwww.bkdh.nl.
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Images:
Councillor Saskia Bruines (Culture and Heritage) at the festive launch of MoNUment in Museum Bredius.
The reflection of the statue of Johan de Witt.
Visitors and passersby look at the mirror column and the monument.
Photographer: Jurriaan Brobbel.