Stadhuis Haarlem

The City Hall of Haarlem dated from the 14th century with its location at the Grote Markt, in the heart of the city. Under the gaze of the St. Bavo Church, and its numerous restaurants, bars and shops.

I have walked passed by the entrance way multiple times but decided, now that the tourists have left, to have a closer look. The grey-toned brick pavement was inviting and through an archway was a courtyard built of the same narrow bricks.

Remnants of the past, the local well, now turned into a pleasing displace of blooming plants, bringing a calmness to the enclosure.


Then I spotted the unintrusive bronze wall mounting in the courtyard. In a short paragraph, it honoured the Canadian troops that liberated the area during world war 2.

The plaque conveyed many things and it made me proud to be a Canadian. It liberated the small seaside village, not far from Haarlem, where my family lived.  My father who had been an indentured labourer in Germany for five years was able to return to his family. Due to this event two years later in May 1947, I was born. After my 18th birthday, I immigrated to Canada and then became a Canadian.