Toespraak minister Bruins bij de herdenking van de aardbeving in Turkije
Op donderdag 6 februari 2025 hield minister Eppo Bruins (Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap) een toespraak bij de herdenking van de aardbeving in Turkije in 2023. Deze herdenking vond plaats in het Mauritshuis te Den Haag.
On Thursday 6 February 2025, Minister Eppo Bruins (Education, Culture and Science) delivered a speech at the commemoration of the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. This commemoration took place at the Mauritshuis in The Hague.
Ambassador Ünal,
Museum director Ms Gosselink,
Esteemed guests,
Two years ago, devastating forces deep within the Earth shook Türkiye and Syria.
They ripped apart the ground and crumbled towns and villages —but they also tore the tissue of communities and families, also here in the Netherlands.
And still, the earthquake of 2023 remains an open wound in many hearts. A pain so deep that my words can never truly reach it.
Today, we remember the more than 50,000 loved ones who lost their lives.
We feel connected to people around the world who, like us, commemorate this day.
Our commemoration is at a very special place. This museum, this home of history and beauty, houses the world-famous masterpiece Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer. More than 350 years old, it still wins hearts. In 2016, it was chosen as the most beloved artwork in the Netherlands.
While art is not a magic potion that takes away grief and loss, art can offer release, by finding paths to our deepest feelings and traumas. More than a hundred women from Kahramanmaraş demonstrate this power of art in their life-sized Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Thread by thread, they wove their own life stories together.
Thread by thread, the work of their hands connected them to each other and to the world that has already admired the tapestry: in Istanbul, Amsterdam, and Strasbourg.
And now, here in the Mauritshuis, the tapestry meets its source of inspiration.
Human resilience will never cease to move me.
The strength that comes to light when people work together to create something beautiful.
May hope continue to sparkle and shine after all the horrors of the earthquakes. Like the shining sparkle of the earring in Vermeer’s painting.
This project has been supported by the Netherlands' international cultural policy.
A heartfelt thank you to the partners involved in this project: the NGOs Kahramanmaraş Down Syndrome and NP2E.
We are delighted to have Gülay Fitoz, the initiator of the project and director of NP2E, with us today.
You have meant a great deal to the women involved. Your contribution has also strengthened the collaboration between our countries.
A collaboration that already proved its strength immediately after the earthquake.
When Turkish volunteers, rescue teams, and international responders, including those from the Netherlands, worked tirelessly to search for survivors.
Street by street, building by building, day by day.
It was incredibly hard work, but thankfully there were moments of joy and cheer whenever they managed to pull a survivor from beneath the rubble. A glimmer of hope in the darkness.
Meanwhile, people from all over the world showed their solidarity. Here in the Netherlands, too. The Turkish communities, along with many other Dutch people, donated millions of euros to support the earthquake victims.
They sent money, aid, and prayers.
The Dutch government made contributions for rebuilding in Türkiye. Also for the irreplaceable, damaged, centuries-old cultural heritage - the tangible past of your country.
Translated children’s books, theatre performances, and art therapy were also made available in the shelters, with our help.
The Dutch embassy in Türkiye has played a key role in all the support.
Let’s look ahead. The Netherlands remains committed to supporting Türkiye's reconstruction efforts. For example, by sharing expertise in areas such as circular construction, water and sanitation, and modular building.
Additionally, the Association of Netherlands Municipalities will begin a project in March aimed at strengthening the governance of urban planning in the affected regions. This will be done in collaboration with the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, further highlighting the friendship between our countries.
Dear friends,
The memory of the horrors from just two years ago will stay with many for the rest of their lives. The true strength of people is shown in how we rebuild, how we come together - as communities and as nations. Although pain will never be fully healed, our collaboration forms a strong, new bond that helps us move forward.
My wish is that the beautiful work of hearts, minds, and hands may continue to offer comfort to many.
Thank you.