‍After months of renovation and preparation, corona threw the plans for the renewed information center near the Canadian Cemetery in Holten upside down. More than three months later than planned, the stories of fallen soldiers can still be 'experienced' on the Holterberg from Sunday.

Three days before the reopening of the Canadian Cemetery Information Center, hard work is still underway on the final jobs. The electrician tinkers with the lighting installation, while employees of the cleaning company ensure that the exhibition space looks flawless. Later in the day, the volunteers - hosts and - women - will receive a comprehensive “corona instruction”. ,, We want to be able to receive our guests safely soon. Everything has been thought of,” says board member Henk Vincent.

PupilsSince October, the visitor center next to the cemetery - where 1,394 Canadians who died are resting - has been closed. Since 2011, around 27,000 visitors come here every year for guided tours or studies. There are many students among the visitors. ,, That then chafed with the other visitors”, says Albert van de Maat, former chairman and co-founder of the info center. “We used to say, actually, we need a separate classroom to separate groups.”ConflictsIt also often happened that sound clips from exhibitions drowned out, because they were played in the same room. “Things started to conflict,” says board member Vincent. “Because we also wanted to expand the entrance, we opted for a major renovation.”Festivities postponed
The intention was to festively open April 8 - the day the Canadians liberated the village of Holten 75 years ago. Due to corona, things went a little differently. “We were delayed because companies withdrew their people,” says Vincent. “They didn't want to work in the same room at the same time.” Because public events were also canceled, the board was forced to postpone the festivities.

“Students want to know why these young people went to fight in a faraway country. Why they made those sacrifices” - Albert van de Maat, Holten Canadian Cemetery

A party is not on the cards for now, but the audience is welcome again from next Sunday. As desired, the entrance desk has been expanded considerably and the space at the rear has been expanded to include a themed room. Here, the volunteers can receive groups. “Most teachers would envy such a beautiful classroom,” says Vincent.

Life storyThree niches have been installed in the exhibition space, inside which visitors experience images and sound clips. Without bothering each other. The eye-catcher of the renewed info center is the new “experience space”. Here, visitors can experience the life and war story of ten Canadians who died in the North or East Netherlands.Letters from soldiersAfter making a choice via a digital panel, a drama visualized in 3D takes place in front of the visitor. The stories are based on photographs of letters that the young front soldiers sent to their overseas relatives. “We had them voiced by Canadian actors”, says Vincent. “One of them also in French.”

It is these personal stories that earn the info center a lot of appreciation. “We once started by exploring the stories behind the graves,” explains Van de Maat. ,, That really appeals to people. Often even more than military historical history. Students want to know why these young people went to fight in a faraway country. Why they made those sacrifices.”Deeply stirredThe board's ambition is to eventually write a biography of each buried soldier. Almost half of that has already been achieved. “Family members of soldiers from Canada are deeply moved when they come here.” That will be possible again from Sunday, although it is in an adapted form. For now, the info center is only open in the afternoon. The official opening is probably not until next year. Source: https://www.destentor.nl/rijssen-holten/vernieuwd-infocentrum-canadese-begraafplaats-in-holten-opent-de-deuren-en-wij-namen-alvast-een-kijkje~a550e32e/

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