On 4 May the Netherlands commemorates victims of war. ABN AMRO has its own remembrance tradition on 4 May.

More than three hundred employees of ABN AMRO's predecessors died during World War II as a result of the persecution of Jews, acts of war, forced labour or resistance. Since 1947, we have commemorated these and all other victims of the war every year.

The theme of this year's national commemoration on 4 May is 'Living with war' and focuses on the impact of war on individuals, families and society. This theme was also at het centre of ABN AMRO's wreath-laying ceremony.

At noon today, our CEO Robert Swaak held a short speech, after which our colleague Emei Tan and Supervisory Board chair, Tom de Swaan, each told a remarkable war story from their own family history. Together they laid a wreath at the war memorial in the office on Gustav Mahlerlaan in Amsterdam. This was followed by one minute's silence during which all those present reflected on the war and the value of freedom and peace.

In his speech, Robert Swaak said: 'World War II began 83 years ago - and soon the generation with first-hand experience will no longer be with us. So it's more important than ever to continue to pass on the stories, to share the experiences about that Second World War. Every generation has its own way of passing on history and every next generation brings its own interpretation to these narratives and forms its own opinions. The true power of these experiences is when these older and newer perspectives meet - when they connect. So that younger generations, too, can learn what democracy, freedom and peace are. Make these values their own. And someday, when we are no longer here, pass on the torch to future generations.'

(C) 2023 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire