Today the Netherlands commemorates all civilians and military personnel who died in war and peacekeeping operations since World War II. At 8pm this evening, most people will observe a two-minute silence in memory of the victims.

Queen Beatrix, Crown-Prince Willem-Alexander, his wife Princess Máxima and members of the Dutch government will be on hand at Dam Square in Amsterdam for the national Remembrance Day ceremony.

Last week, there was controversy about whether a particular poem, written by a 15-year-old, would be read at the ceremony. The poem, entitled Wrong Choice, is about the boy's family, including one of his great uncles who joined the Waffen SS and later died.

The young poet was selected the winner of the annual poetry contest that's held in connection with Remembrance Day. Usually, the winning poem is read at the ceremony at Dam Square, but a number of Jewish organisations protested saying it would be inappropriate to highlight the life and deeds of a person who worked with the Nazis. As a result, the poem will not be read.

Ceremonies will also be held around the country, including former concentration camps in Amersfoort and Westerbork. There was also controversy in Vorden this week when a commemoration procession stopped at the graves of ten German soldiers.

(df/hs/mb)