Monument Apeldoorn
“The man with two hats”
All Anglo-Saxon countries commemorate their fallen on November 11th. That date commemorates the Armistice of the Great War. November 11th, the end of the First World War, is also the date on which for the Veterans of World War II commemorations take place. These commemorations are usually not held at cemeteries but more often at liberation monuments.
Apeldoorn has a very close relationship with Canada as with the Canadian Veterans and has erected a monument at local landmark “The Needle”. The monument symbolizes the double emotion; on the one hand the joy of liberation, on the other hand, the sad memory of the victims. “The man with two hats” also represents the alliance of the Netherlands with Canada. In Apeldoorn a statue has been placed and a same statue has been erected in a park in Ottawa, Canada (see two photographs below). These two figures very symbolically face each other.
The Man with Two Hats – A Symbol of Liberation and Remembrance
The monument in Apeldoorn, known as “The Man with Two Hats,” stands as a powerful symbol of the deep historical bond between the Netherlands and Canada. It represents a dual emotion—celebrating the joy of liberation while honoring the sorrow and sacrifice of those who lost their lives during the World Wars. Commemorations held on November 11th mark the end of the First World War and also serve as a day of remembrance for veterans of the Second World War. Unlike traditional ceremonies held in cemeteries, these events often take place at liberation monuments like this one.
