in detail
Following the German occupation, Jews in the Netherlands were systematically marginalized in society by new anti-Jewish regulations. In November 1941 the German occupiers seized the area around the playground established in 1921 in Gaaspstraat in the Amsterdam district of Rivierenbuurt and declared it to be a »Jewish market«. From then on this was the only place where Jewish traders in the district were allowed to sell their goods and Jewish residents were allowed to shop. The »Jewish market« was dissolved in August 1943.
The »Children's Monument« memorial was erected in 1985 on the initiative of former victims of persecution and resistance fighters, who also used the occasion to react to anti-Semitic and racist attacks in this district. At the same time they began to visit schools, institutions and groups both in the Netherlands and abroad as eyewitnesses, in order to let young people know about the dangers of fascism, anti-Semitism, discrimination and racism.
The »Children's Monument Foundation« today conducts numerous projects with schoolchildren as well as developing educational materials. The topics include children's rights, freedom, people with ideals, racism and children in war.
The »Children's Monument« memorial which was inaugurated in 1985 at a playground in the Amsterdam district of Rivierenbuurt, was initiated by former victims of persecution and members of the resistance. It commemorates the victims of the Second World War and serves as a warning against fascism, racism and anti-Semitism. The playground area was seized during the German occupation and used as a »Jewish market« from 1941 to 1943. Of the 17,000 Jewish citizens who lived in Rivierenbuurt, 13,000 were killed.
1940
50,000 people lived in the Amsterdam district of Rivierenbuurt, 17,000 of them are Jews.
1 November 1941
Jewish children were no longer allowed to use the district playground; two days later the German occupiers set up the ‘Jewish market’.
14 August 1943
The ‘Jewish market’ was closed.
1941 to 1945
13,000 of the 17,000 Jewish inhabitants of Rivierenbuurt were murdered.
1981
Anti-Semitic and racist incidents took place in Rivierenbuurt. Former resistance fighters and victims of persecution decided to erect a memorial at the playground.
1985
Inauguration of the ‘Children's Monument' by the mayor Ed van Thijn
1986
Official establishment of the ‘Jewish Market Children's Monument Foundation’.
Amsterdam, 1986, Playground in Gaaspstraat, Stichting Kindermonument.
Amsterdam, 2000, »Children's Monument« in winter, Stichting Kindermonument.
Amsterdam, (o.D.), Dick Neijssel, former member of the resistance, talks with schoolchildren of the Anne Frank School about his life, Stichting. Kindermonument.
