Nelson Mandela Square For Amst

The 5 proposed venues for Nelson Mandela Square in Amsterdam

Nelson Mandela Square For Amsterdam

Amsterdam is deciding where they want to locate their tribute to the late Nelson Mandela via a citizen vote.

Nelson Mandela Square For Amst

The 5 proposed venues for Nelson Mandela Square in Amsterdam

February of 2014 the City Of Amsterdam announced its intention to re-name one of 5 city squares in honour of Nelson Mandela. Amsterdam Municipality asked residents of Amsterdam to vote between five different locations to decide which should become Mandela Square.

Voting closed on March 27 and the announcement of which square is to be renamed is expected later this year. The locations offered by the city were: Bijlmerpark, Hoekenrode, Kop Java, Sausalitolaan (Overhoeks) and Stadspark Osdorp as the squares to be renamed. Now that voting is over, the municipality will be collating the results and consulting further with the community prior to announcing the results in the summer.

The municipality of Amsterdam claims a special bond between Mandela and the city as he visited Amsterdam several times, and even received a gold medal of the city of Amsterdam on his tour of departure from Presidency in 1999.

At the memorial service for Mr. Mandela in Amsterdam on 15 December 2013, Mayor Van Der Laan remarked that, “Thanks to Mandela, we can continue the journey (towards justice and reconciliation) with greater strength than before.”

Once the decision has been made, the City of Amsterdam will be making a formal announcement with regards to renaming date and ceremony.

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