Rotterdam honors the people behind the destruction with city-wide projection. On May 14, 2025, it will be exactly 85 years since the bombing of Rotterdam took place. In this special year of remembrance, Mothership and VideoAgency, commissioned by the May 14 Commemoration Committee, are literally bringing the victims into focus with the impressive project: ‘The Names of May 14’. Between May 6 and 14, the names of victims – and where possible their faces – will be projected in a special way on buildings, trees and screens throughout the city.
Not just stones
For years, Rotterdam has mainly focused on the devastated city and not so much on the destroyed lives. With ‘The Names of May 14’, the committee wants to do justice to the impact that the bombing still has on the survivors. Recent research by the Voorouder Foundation and the Rotterdam City Archives has shown that at least 711 people died in the bombing. From 6 May, all these names – and where possible their faces – will come to life in the city, via large screens and projections on buildings and trees. Straight from north to south: from Rotterdam Central Station and the KPN building in Zuid to Ahoy.
Commemoration is more relevant than ever
Mothership and VideoAgency have joined this project because of its great importance. ‘The names of 14 May’ brings together what happened then with the present and the future. Fewer and fewer people still know what happened in their city 85 years ago. But the world is on fire again. Countries are at war, millions of people are displaced. Commemoration is more relevant than ever.
Call to share stories
‘The names of 14 May’ starts on 6 May at Rotterdam Central Station, on the large screen in the hall and will spread like wildfire throughout the city until 14 May. In a poetic animation, names turn into faces and faces back into names. At the same time, on herdenkjij14mei.nl/denamenvan the untold stories are shared. Do you also have a (family) story about the days around the bombing and would you like to share it? Then send an e-mail to info@herdenkjij14mei.nl. In this way, all of Rotterdam can contribute to the collective remembrance.
About the initiators
Committee Commemoration 14 May consists of a number of involved citizens and representatives of Rotterdam cultural institutions. With a subsidy from the municipality of Rotterdam, the committee annually puts together a commemoration program.
Mothership is a leading Rotterdam agency that integrates art into public space to create unique experiences and social impact. Well-known projects include the artwork ‘Hoorn des Overvloeds’ in the Markthal and the ‘Bobbing Forest’ in the Rijnhaven.
VideoAgency is a creative production company that captures stories in powerful images and animations. At VA, it’s all about sharing videos with real stories; Real Stories Worth Sharing. With the aim of impact and inspiration. VA did this for the Port of Rotterdam, the municipality of Rotterdam, ProRail, Ihub and Kunsthal, among others.
