Eighty years after the Germans were defeated, in the Netherlands, May 4th and 5th are Remembrance Days. This is a time of solemn reflection dedicated to commemorating all victims of World War II.
At 8 p.m., on the 4th of May, two minutes of silence are observed throughout the Netherlands as a national moment of reflection. In Amsterdam, public transportation comes to a halt. Cars stop. All of a sudden, it is quiet in the streets. Amazing.
Even when I cannot recall anybody anymore who lived through World War II, images of wars all over the planet are still raging without end in sight. I always think about the people who are starving, with no food and no shelter for the fragile human body. Does anybody who makes weapons, who builds their own house on the sale of weapons, think about the receiving side of arms?
Doing research in this area, I find that there are people who think that ending war is either an unattainable ideal, given human nature's territorial and aggressive tendencies, or a solvable problem through cultural and spiritual evolution toward peace. Can we agree that war is not an inherent part of human nature? While conflict has been a part of human history, it's not a natural outcome. Humans are capable of cooperation, diplomacy, and peaceful conflict resolution. Are there other solutions than counter-attacking an attack? Where is our creative brain in all of this?
Not once during the presidential election craze of 2024 in America have I heard a vision of such. Not once. It is all about the economy, but somehow the financial solution lies not in different collection and/or distribution of funds. World peace leads to more resources for constructive purposes. A world without war could free up vast resources currently allocated to defense spending, allowing us to address climate change for real instead of delivering lip service. By the way, would you bomb your client when you can make money from him?
With a different attitude, we could invest in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. This could potentially lead to economic growth and improved living standards for billions. Are we collectively that dumb, or do we need a leader who understands a holistic approach? The immature focus on self-protection can change into a collective mantra of prosperity for all through constructive actions. We should demand this.
The Netherlands has strived to be the capital of freedom, independence, and tolerance. It is rated one of the happiest places on Earth to live.
event coming up;
Artist in Residence: May 6-12 2025
Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236 ยท (941) 316-0808
Phone: 786-457-1606
Email: Jacobinat@gmail.com
Website: www.jacobinao.com
Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtOvationHotel/
Instagram: @artovationhotel
https://www.youtube.com/@jacobinao
#OvationStudioArtist #AOHStudio #artovationhotel #exactlylikenothingelse
Hashtags: #tropical, #kimono, #dutch, #figure, #professionalartist
