The Greatest Dutchman

Last Sunday KRO broadcasted the first episode of a TV series in which we can vote for The Greatest Dutchman, a person who has contributed significantly in shaping the Netherlands, science and/or Dutch culture, and whose influence is beyond his/her own time.

On Sunday they presented the last 90 of a top-100, and the coming weeks we can vote about the (order of the) first 10. These are: Desiderius Erasmus (the 'humanist' philosopher-writer), William of Orange (our founding father who led the Low Lands to independence from Spain), Rembrandt van Rijn (the famous painter), Michiel de Ruijter (a seafaring hero of the Golden Age who beat the English time after time), Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (the father of microbiology who disovered the bacteria), Vincent van Gogh (the painter who cut off his ear), Anne Frank (writer of a bestseller diary and anti-war symbol), Willem Drees (socialist leader and father of the post-war social security system), Pim Fortuijn (the politician who wanted to become prime-minister but was shot two years ago) and Johan Cruijff (soccer legend, and the only one still alive).

I really like this program format, because it gives people a sense of their own history, culture and identity. But of course they shouldn't have allowed people on the list who are not at least dead and buried for 25 to 50 years or so. A vote for Pim Fortuijn for instance is primarily emotional, like votes for modern-day pop artists (DJ Tiësto who opened the Olympic Games is on place 40). I doubt whether Pim or Tiësto would still be remembered in the year 2100. In the light of history things are evaluated differently.

Anyway I already put in my vote for Erasmus of Rotterdam, and not because he was a great thinker, consulted by kings and church leaders of his time. Of the guys in the top-10 he was most outspoken about his faith in Christ. A Renaissance man, later incorporated by the humanists, but also an early reformation writer who addressed key issues like the need to turn from churched religion and theological fighting to a personal relationship with Christ. Erasmus wanted the Bible to become available (translated and printed) for every person in Europe, and acknowledged (which was revolutionary at the time) that men and women alike were gifted by God and should not be boxed in but be able to fulfill their calling. It was Erasmus' religious tolerance, and critical and independent spirit that very much inspired and shaped the Dutch (and perhaps I should say: for good and for worse).

Comments

[Ewout de Graaf]

Nice program, but the goal is simple: they want your money.
You cannot cast a vote via the internet, you have to call an expensive number or send an expensive sms to make a vote for a person.
I doubt if the result will be a good representation of how the average dutchman feels... It certainly stopped me from voting.

[Marc]

It's possible to vote on their website (I just did it) and it's free.

[Ewout de Graaf]

Ok - failed to notice the little 'stemmen' button on the lower side of the screen...