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Rotterdam 2015
Press Release
Rotterdam explores past, present and future of the city
Cultural manifestation Spring 2015 up to Summer 2016
From Spring 2015 up to Summer 2016, Rotterdam will be marked by commemoration and
celebration. 14 May 2015, the city commemorates the Rotterdam Blitz that, now 75 years ago,
destroyed almost the entire historic city centre. The Museum Rotterdam exhibition ´De Aanval´
(The Attack, 30 April – 25 October 2015 in a former submarine wharf) takes visitors back to five
war days in May 1940. From Fall 2015 until Summer 2016, Rotterdam reflects on 75 years of rebuilding and re-developing the city during the cultural manifestation ´Rotterdam Viert de Stad´
(Rotterdam Celebrates the City).
Highlights:
Exhibition ´De Aanval´ (The Attack) - 30 April – 25 October 2015
In 2015, it will be 75 years since 10 May 1940, the date on which the Netherlands was invaded and
became embroiled in the Second World War. In Rotterdam, from 10 to 14 May, a relentless battle was
fought for control over the city – the incredible and largely untold story that preceded the bombing that
was to leave the city a shambles. The exhibition The Attack tells this story in a former submarine
wharf in the port area. Huge projections show the battle from three different perspectives: the
confusion on the part of the residents, the resistance and the battle fought by the Dutch military, and
the experience of the German military. The exhibition, which includes some stunning images, personal
stories and original artefacts, is dominated by the looming form of a Heinkel He 111, the bomber that
destroyed the city. The exhibition The Attack has been a joint effort between Museum Rotterdam, the
Municipality of Rotterdam (the Rotterdam City Archives) and the Bundeswehr Military History Museum
(MHM) in Dresden, Germany. See http://museumrotterdam.nl/en/
Official Commemoration, Commemorative Concert and Brandgrensrun - 14 May 2015
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The official commemorative ceremony takes place 14 May 2015 at Rotterdam´s Plein 1940
around Osip Zadkine´s sculpture ´De Verwoeste Stad´ (The Ruined City).
In a special and spectacular edition of its regular city runs, Rotterdam Running Crew brings
together thousands of participants to run along the ´Brandgrens´, the 14 May 1940 bombing
and fire storm boundary of Rotterdam´s city centre.
The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Manfred Honeck performs Gustav
Mahler´s 2nd Symphony ´Resurrection´ at the Doelen Concert Hall in Rotterdam.
Celebration of 75 years of reconstruction and redevelopment - Fall 2015 until Summer 2015
After the exhibition ´De Aanval´ (see above) closes October 2015, Rotterdam shifts perspective to
celebrating 75 years of reconstruction and redevelopment under the banner of ‘Rotterdam Viert de
Stad’ (Rotterdam Celebrates the City). From October 2015 until Summer 2016, a series of cultural
manifestations and events marks the city´s present-day elan, looks back at the years of re-building
and explores the city´s future. May and June 2016, the events will focus on 50 years of concert hall
´De Doelen´, symbol of Rotterdam´s reconstruction. The full programme of events, supported by the
City of Rotterdam, curated by Rotterdam Festivals and organized by many partnering Rotterdam
institutions, will be revealed on 18 May 2015.
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About Rotterdam Info
Rotterdam Info promotes tourism, recreation and living in Rotterdam. Its objective is to attract and serve people visiting and
living in Rotterdam. Rotterdam Info publishes a range of online and offline communications media, including a website, mobile
and iPad app, city map, Rotterdam Welcome Card, city walking route and shopping guide. Rotterdam Info also has two walk-in
locations for visitors: Rotterdam Central Station and Coolsingel 195-197. Rotterdam Info is a partner of VVV Nederland.
Rotterdam Info is a division of Rotterdam Partners that promotes the Rotterdam economy.
Note for editors, not for publication:
For more information, please contact Bert-Jan Zoet, International Press Officer Rotterdam Partners;
b.zoet@rotterdampartners.nl ; +31 (0)10–7900572, www.rotterdampartners.nl.