Reina Prinsen Geerligs Plaque

Born in the distant lands of Semarang, Java, Reina Prinsen Geerligs found her home amidst the canals and cobblestones of Amsterdam. The Reina Prinsen Geerligs Plaque, a bronze testament to her courage, hangs here before us. It commemorates a life tragically cut short by the harsh realities of war. Reina, a student of Dutch literature with dreams of becoming a writer, found herself drawn into the heart of the resistance against the Nazi occupation. This plaque, more than just bronze and inscription, echoes with the spirit of a young woman who dared to defy tyranny. Reina became a key member of the CS-6 resistance group. This group, operating from Corellistraat 6, was a hub of defiance. They gathered intelligence, sabotaged German operations, and targeted collaborators. The words etched into the Reina Prinsen Geerligs Plaque are her own, a poem written in the face of imminent danger. “I stand here in the midst of misery. My hands and my feet as if made of lead. See, there around yonder corner, death already lurks. It is as if I knew him from before. My God, my God, why have I been forsaken? So that you will go better. So that you will better understand. What it means to be human.” These poignant words capture the fear, despair, yet unwavering resolve of a young woman facing her mortality. On April 27, 1970, this very plaque was unveiled, a solemn reminder of Reina’s sacrifice. Her parents, who had originally set aside funds for her studies, established the Reina Prinsen Geerligs Prize. This prize, awarded to young writers, ensures that Reina’s passion for literature lives on. The Reina Prinsen Geerligs Plaque serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the indomitable spirit of those who resist oppression.