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Golden Book of the city of Groningen

About this artwork.

In a glass display case beneath the wood-painted work 'Liberation of Groningen' lies the 'Golden Book of the City of Groningen'. The book is made of white parchment and was first used on January 29, 1940, on the occasion of the city's 900th anniversary. The city council wanted to include the names of people who had made a contribution to the city in gold letters in the book. The registration can be regarded as the highest form of appreciation, equivalent to honorary citizenship of the city.

The opening page features a calligraphed poem by Bernhard Alting.

Die luyden die in dese gewesten kennisse
dragen van saken der voorgeleden
tijden.....sullen ontwijfelijck sich con-
formeren met de oude Groningers. Met
die oude Groningers, die Groningen
tot sulcken staet gebracht, in sulcken
staet naegelaten hebben, dat de nae-
komelingen haer des te bedancken
hebben.

Bernhard Alting, Pilaren ende Peerlen
van Groningen (1647)

The book opens with a drawing of the city seen from the south as one found the fortress in the 18th century. The book became a silent witness to the Second World War: the first names are of those who died in the battle against the German occupiers. Twenty soldiers from the city of Groningen who died in 1940. “Died for the Fatherland in the month of May of the year 1940”. The name Bruce Matthews, the Canadian general who led the troops that liberated the city in April 1945, is also included in the book. The names of the honorary citizens of Groningen follow.

The Mayor and Aldermen takes the decision to register. The announcement of the registration in the Golden Book takes place in the council chamber by the mayor of the municipality of Groningen. In most cases, the aim is to make the registration a surprise for the person concerned. Family members, friends and associates are invited to attend this meeting "under confidentiality". The registered person receives the calligraphed text of his registration. The meeting will end with a reception in the Anda Kerkhoven hall in the City Hall.

The book is on display closed in the glass display case in the old council chamber of the City Hall. The content was made digitally accessible in 2010: https://gemeente.groningen.nl/ereburgers-groningen

Facts & Figures.

  • Year of creation
    1940

  • Collection
    Town Hall Collection