That Zelenski’s whistle-stop tour of The Netherlands fell on Thursday, 4th of May, cannot have been a coincidence. He spoke at the International Criminal Court, suggesting a future Nuremberg-style trial of Putin.

I needed to go to Scheveningen to collect post that had been sent to my old address. The sky was a clear blue with thin whisps of cloud. A dark blue helicopter travelled North and then turned. The ICC is just a couple of miles from the beach. It was warm and sunny, and quite busy because of the May Holidays. Parents with children queued at Sea Life. Having walked to the southern end, I had the choice of Bandu (new owners), Escubelle, Buena Vista, and The Fat Mermaid. Even though I’ve retired from my practice over five years ago, it still feels a luxury having lunch on the beach on a weekday.

Here in The Netherlands, the 4th of May is the day of Dodenherdenking followed by Bevrijdingsdag on the 5th of May. Liberation is celebrated each year, with a speech, festivals, communal meals, and an evening concert. There is a major celebration (when workers are entitled to a day off) every five years.

Those who died in WWII, and in wars and peace missions since, are remembered every 4th of May. The King and Queen place a wreath at the cenotaph, a National Monument, on the Dam, Amsterdam. There is a two-minute silence at 20:00. Then more wreaths are placed. Similar ceremonies take place in other towns and cities and locations such as camp Westerbork.

Untitled

First warm day of the year.
Inside the ICC with its
living walls of green,
Zelenski speaks of a
Nuremberg trial.

The Farmers’ Defence League
still have the red-white-blue
upside down today.

I choose The Fat Mermaid
for a brioche kroket (so
unhealthy!) with a dollop
of mustard, Pinot Grigio.