Opening: De Kracht van Volendam - 25 jaar later

From 13 December to 4 January, Melkweg Expo presents ‘De Kracht van Volendam – 25 jaar later’.The exhibition marks the final chapter of photographer Suzan van de Roemer’s long-term project.It will be open on Friday 12 December from 17:30 to 20:30.

New Year’s Eve 2001
During this night the lives of many young people in Volendam changed forever. Just after midnight, a fire broke out in café ’t Hemeltje. It started when indoor sparklers set fire to the Christmas decorations covering the walls and ceiling. Within seconds, the café went up in flames.

The consequences were devastating: 14 young people lost their lives and 200 were injured, many with severe burns. The victims were between 14 and 20 years old — for some, it was their first night out. The disaster left lasting physical and emotional scars on survivors, their families, and the Volendam community. Even now, 25 years later, it remains a deeply affecting event in recent Dutch history.

The Strength of Volendam
In 2004, three years after the fire, Suzan van de Roemer created her first exhibition, ‘De Kracht van Volendam'. A second series followed in 2011, exploring the next stage of recovery and self-image. Both chapters were previously shown at Melkweg Expo. Now, a quarter of a century later, Suzan van de Roemer returns with the concluding part of her trilogy.

New portraits and personal texts offer a powerful glimpse into life today. Time has done its work: a new generation has been born, and earlier physical discomforts have slowly become part of everyday life.

Together, the three chapters form a 25-year chronicle that shows how recovery is never a straight line, that vulnerability and strength can coexist. Suzan van de Roemer’s long-term engagement gives the project a rare depth. For over twenty years, she has followed her subjects closely, with genuine attention and trust. What began as a single series has evolved into an ongoing story about humanity, time, and resilience.