Resistance Monument Workum

Form and Material
The resistance monument in Workum (municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân) consists of three abstract sculptures made of white natural stone. Each sculpture is placed on a pedestal. A plaque is mounted on the central pedestal.

Text
The text on the plaque reads:

“FROM OPPRESSION
THE COURAGE TO RESIST
TOWARDS FREEDOM
IN MEMORY OF THE WORKUM RESISTANCE FIGHTERS”.

Symbolism
The three sculptures represent three stages of the liberation process: “Oppression”, “Resistance”, and “Freedom”. The resistance fighters of World War II also experienced this process: from oppression, they dared to resist, moving towards freedom. Resistance is central, forming the bridge between oppression and freedom. Artist Ruth Vulto Gaube deliberately chose an abstract design to emphasize that this theme is not only about individual fate within a specific period, but about fundamental principles that apply always and everywhere. By avoiding concreteness, the sculpture group attains a universal character.