Eerste nationale bevrijdingsfeest in het Olympisch Stadion: herdenking spoorwegdemonstratie Possibly 1945 - 1948

Cas Oorthuys created this photograph, titled 'Eerste nationale bevrijdingsfeest in het Olympisch Stadion: herdenking spoorwegdemonstratie,' to commemorate the first national liberation celebration in the Olympic Stadium. Oorthuys, deeply involved in the Dutch resistance during World War II, uses his photography to explore themes of national identity, collective memory, and resistance. This image specifically captures a reenactment of the 1944 railway strike. Railway workers played a crucial role in resisting Nazi occupation by going on strike, disrupting German transport and supply lines. Here, Oorthuys captures the somber determination of these men. Their focused expressions and coordinated effort around the train wheel convey a sense of collective responsibility and the physical demands of resistance. The photograph honors the railway workers' courage and sacrifice. It reminds us of the individual and collective efforts required to confront oppression. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. It invites us to reflect on the ongoing struggle for freedom and justice.