The national commemoration of the Netherlands’ history of slavery will start early on Tuesday due to the expected hot weather. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be sweltering across the country, triggering a code orange warning in the southeast and a less-severe code yellow warning in the rest of the country.
The ceremony in Amsterdam’s Oosterpark will get underway at 12:15 p.m. instead of 2 p.m., and additional shade, seating, water will be available for attendees, the National Institute for Dutch Slavery History and Heritage (NiNsee) reported. The parades by Bigi Spikri and Zuidoost Beseft preceding the ceremony will also start earlier, leaving City Hall for the Oosterpark at 10:45 a.m.
“The National Remembrance is a moment of reflection, recognition, and connection. It is important that everyone can participate safely,” the organization said. “By bringing the ceremony forward, we want to contribute to a dignified commemoration, despite the exceptional weather conditions.”
Attendees to the commemoration, held every year on July 1 at the National Slavery Monument in Oosterpark, are advised to wear light and airy clothing and to bring drinking water and a fan. The organizers also urge people to seek shade where possible and wear a hat to protect their heads from the sun.
The KNMI issued a code orange warning for persistent heat covering the provinces of Noord-Brabant, Limburg, and Gelderland on Tuesday and Wednesday. Maximums could climb to between 35 and 38 degrees in those provinces in the coming days, the meteorological institute warned.
“Everyone can get complaints like dehydration and overheating, but especially the elderly and people with vulnerable health, and during physical activities,” the meteorological institute warned. Stay out of the sun, drink enough water, and avoid physical activities between noon and 6:00 p.m.
The rest of the Netherlands will be covered by a code yellow warning on Tuesday. Maximums are expected to climb to between 30 and 32 degrees. This warning is also in effect throughout the country today.