Nederland - Vijfhuizen, Nationaal Monument MH17

On the 17th of July 2014, the world was shocked by the devastating report that flight MH17, an international passenger flight from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on its way to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down as it flew over Eastern Ukraine. All innocent 15 crew members and 283 passengers died.

The Nationaal Monument MH17 honours the victims of this disaster and keep the memory of them alive, as a symbol of hope, faith and reflection. In the park-like environment you will find 298 trees. Lime trees, ironwood, ash, hawthorns, pines and ornament.

The monument consists of a tree ribbon and a memorial. The green ribbon rises from the landscape. On this 298 trees were planted: one for every victim. With each tree you will find the name, age and nationality of the victim. For passengers who travelled together, the same tree species were planted. These ones stand side by side. Ten different tree species have been planted for the passengers. The chosen species also emphasise the diversity of the deceased passengers. For the crew of flight MH17 a separate kind has been chosen: lime trees. These are in front, on the edge of the amphitheater.

The heart of the tree ribbon is an amphitheater. Here you will find the memorial. This consists of a wall of rusted corten steel. A stainless steel sculpture has been placed for this purpose: the “iris”. The pupil of the iris is a high-gloss polished surface. Here are the names of the 298 victims engraved. The rust and the transience of the steel symbolize the grief, the iris the memory and the comfort. Seen from above the memorial has the shape of an eye that looks into the sky; a connection between victims and surviving relatives.

War seems far away in the Netherlands. Nothing is less true. The knockdown of MH17 is considered an act of war in a conflict that leads back to the Cold War. Now as a violent offense from a hybrid war peace seems to be a plaything of power politics and arbitrariness. With unforgettable suffering as a result.

The National Monument MH17 is a recognisable landscape element. The shape and design of the tree ribbon tattoos the surrounding land. A sculpture of 298 trees that demands permanent attention for peace and safety.