Van Heutz Indië-Nederland Monument in Amsterdam

Since its unveiling in 1935, the ‘Van Heutsz’ Monument has faced controversy surrounding the legacy of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia, attributed to General Jo van Heutsz. The monument has survived defacement, two bomb attacks, and years of decay. In 2001, in response to increasing scrutiny, the Amsterdam Oud-Zuid district council renamed the site to ‘Monument Indië-Nederland.’ This case study examines the transition from honouring Van Heutsz to commemorating colonisation in the context of recent acknowledgements from King Willem-Alexander and a continued social debate on the legacy of slavery and colonialism.