wijherdenken

Wijherdenken is a Dutch term describing the act of remembering together, particularly in public or communal settings. It is used to characterize initiatives that invite collective reflection and participation in remembrance, rather than individual memory alone.

Etymology and usage: The word combines "wij" (we) with "herdenken" (to remember or commemorate). As a neologism or slogan, it appears in civil society campaigns, educational projects, and media to emphasize inclusive memory and shared responsibility for historical or traumatic events.

Contexts and practice: The phrase is often employed during commemorations, anniversaries, or discussions about victims, conflicts, or discrimination. Variants such as "Laten wijherdenken" or "Wij herdenken samen" underscore collective involvement and solidarity in the act of remembering.

Reception and relation to memory studies: Wijherdenken reflects broader trends in collective memory and public remembrance found in Dutch-speaking regions. While not an official term with formal definitions, it functions as a flexible slogan used by museums, NGOs, schools, and government bodies to frame remembrance as a shared civic duty.

See also: Herdenken, herinneren, gedenken; collective memory; commemoration.