Amersfoort's cancelled Jewish history exhibition may go ahead after all

The exhibition on 300 years of Jewish life in Amersfoort, which Museum Amersfoort cancelled only days earlier, may go ahead after all following talks between the municipality and the museum. The municipality, the museum and the city's Jewish community will now examine whether, and how, they can hold the show planned for 2027.

The museum had pointed to the heated debate over the Middle East when it dropped the exhibition. The timing matters locally: the Amersfoort synagogue on the Drieringensteeg turns 300 next year.

The decision drew heavy criticism. Mayor Lucas Bolsius then met the alderman for culture and the museum's management and supervisory board. He said they agreed on one point: “We have jointly concluded that we think it is important that an exhibition comes about that tells of 300 years of the history of Jewish culture in Amersfoort.”

The municipality says it, the national government and people and organisations from across the country have offered the museum help. Bolsius said trust on both sides had been damaged in recent days, but that he sees willingness among all parties to restore it.

Museum director Paul Baltus said the reactions of recent days had touched him and that the help on offer eases some of his earlier concerns. With that help, and together with the Jewish community, he will explore the options “with an open mind and a positive intention”.

Alexander van Dijkhuizen, chair of the Jewish community in Amersfoort, welcomed the progress made over two days. He trusts the exhibition will still happen in 2027: “If we felt this was going nowhere, we wouldn't be starting these talks.”

Marcel Koning of the local ChristenUnie had said the 300 years of Jewish history should be seen separately from international events.

Baltus had earlier called the museum “too small and too vulnerable” for an exhibition that could raise tensions, though he conceded there was no direct threat of violence. Bolsius said the municipality will take extra security measures if they prove necessary.