Freedom Bench Netterden

The foundation Vereniging Leefbaarheid Netterden (VLN) and artist Emeke Buitelaar have bundled their strenghts in a cooperation to create a Social Sofa in Netterden. The bench is a place where children can bring their ideas of freedom. And freedom starts in your own environment. Because of this the bench also has a border transcending character. A number of freedom symbols are incorporated on the bench.

On the front an indian and a bird-of-paradise. Between the image of man and animal is the first line of Conquest of Paradise: 'IN NORENI PER IPE'. Beneath the seating are the letters VLN and above that the first line of the oldest prayer in the world, the Gayatri Mantra. This prayer is about the desire for light and freedom in- and outside ourselves.
German and Dutch kids have made drawings about freedom. The element of playing together was the most prominent in these drawings. On the right side of the bench are the drawings of the Dutch boys Max and Jesse. They have made football boots in the colours of both countries. On the left side is a drawing of Lena, a German girl. She has drawn a boy and girl under a bow of hearts and freedom pidgeons. Both messages are connected to each other via a bridge over the back. Since the year 2015 is the year of the eight there are two lemniscates on the back, as a symbol for the continuous movement of both countries. Let children cross the borders again and bundles their strength, let them play together and above all make fun.

On the back in the middle are two large figures who symbolise the villages of Netterden and Emmerich: the bucket of Emmerich and the star of Netterden within. The coins in the bucket symbolise the lively trade between both countries. Right below is the name of the artist Emeke Buitelaar in a wax seal. Above that it says '70 years of freedom in the Netherlands'. Canadian coins are placed on the front, of which some are decorated with 'Poppies'.

The indian on the front of the bench also has a link to the monument for the Canadian soldiers. The name Canada is a derivative from the indian word kanata (settlement).

Picture 2: outer left Emeke Buitelaar with the German (Emmerich) and Dutch kids who have helped realise this bench.

The bench is next to the memorial for the Fallen Canadian Soldiers in Netterden.

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Source

• Text: Vereniging Leefbaarheid Netterden
• Photos: Arjan Vrieze (1), Vereniging Leefbaarheid Netterden (2, 3)