A monument to Dirk Willemszn in Asperen!

A special fund has been established by the Historical Association Oud Asperen to commemorate the selfless act of Dirk Willemszn in our town of Asperen, on that cold day in May 1569. By adhering to his principles on that day, Dirk proved to his fellow believers that one can remain faithful to God even when faced with the consequences of a cruel death. His example has inspired many and it is therefore only fitting that this be commemorated at the place where he performed his act of faith in 1569: the former moat of his prison, Waddestein Castle in Asperen.

The Historical Association Asperen (Vereniging Oud Asperen) has published the book "Dirk willemszn son of Asperen” issued, recording the proven facts surrounding his life and deeds in the years leading up to his death on 16 May 1569. The revenue this book is intended solely to pay for a statue in honour of Dirk in our city of Asperen.

Via the this link allows you to participate in this fund. It will be used exclusively for the creation and maintenance of a floating monument, based on the world-famous etching by Jan Luyken, as depicted in the 1685 edition of the famous Martyrs Mirror van Thieleman van Bragt. On the waterfront of the slotgracht there will also be an explanation of the deeds and beliefs of Dirk Willemszn, so that even those who do not yet know his remarkable life story can understand the meaning of the monument.

On this information board a plaque will be attached with the names of all donors who contributed to the monument and its maintenance. A standing committee, with its own treasurer, will manage the placement and maintenance of the monument, sign and any renewed plaque in the future.

We cordially invite you to join us in honoring Dirk Willemszn in his hometown of Asperen. And maybe you can visit us to see the result with your own eyes.

Theo Witjes
President of the Historical Association Oud Asperen
Author of the book "Dirk willemszn son of Asperen”

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Book: Dirk Willemszn - son of Asperen

As an oud Asperen Association, We have published a book! The booklet is on sale in our museum (open from 30 May to 13 september), in the Grote (St. Catharina) Church in Asperen and in Brasserie Dirk (located in Sportcentrum De Schildkamp). If you do not have the opportunity to visit it during opening hours, you can also order it online here and we will send it as a mailbox package. Pay via THIS link for purchase (€18,95) and shipping (€5,50) and email us at voorzitter@oud-asperen.nl your name and address and we will send the book to you by post.

The book is also available for purchase through the Canadian publisher Pandora Press.

The book is about Dirk Willemszoon, our fellow townsman who, as an Anabaptist (Baptist or Anabaptist) in May 1569, was unfortunately tried for his faith, convicted and burned (alive) in Asperen. It is about the community of Anabaptists in Asperen, our baron Wessel van den Boetzelaer who protected them, the Spanish oppressor who persecuted them and the Asperenarians who between these various parties tried to live their ordinary lives in our city in very turbulent times.

Our Chairman Theo Witjes has spent many hours and days in archives and documents from this period to write a truthful story of the actual events. The book will also be published in the United States and Canada in september 2025 and with the proceeds, the Oud Asperen Association wants to create a statue in Asperen in memory of this special Asperner together with the various Anabaptist faith groups in the world who want to contribute.

Every year our city is visited by buses with Anabaptists from all parts of the world because Dirk Willemszn is a shining example for them. Statues have been erected in various places around the world that bear witness to his deeds. In Asperen, where he was born, lived and was eventually murdered, only one street is named after him, but who knows him and his deeds? Read the book and contribute to the statue!

The booklet (in three languages) is currently also for sale in the NH Church in Asperen and in our museum and it costs (in the Netherlands) 18.95 euros.

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