Kootwijk, Radio Kootwijk

The story of Radio Kootwijk begins in the heart of the Veluwe, amid vast moorlands, with 150 unemployed people from Amsterdam. With their hands, they levelled the ground, for the arrival of a technological marvel: the radio broadcasting station Radio Kootwijk. This station, which enabled the connection to our then colony of the Dutch East Indies, would change the lives of many.

After the construction of the broadcasting station, PTT employees settled in the newly created village. Radio Kootwijk became a small community with a unique character. The men who lived in the Tehuis for single employees formed close bonds due to their shared work and the remote location. The families who came to live in the village also contributed to the strong sense of community. This was not least because of the PTT, which used vans for the children to go to school and for the women to go to the fabric market in Apeldoorn. Life was simple, but the bond between residents was strong.

Radio Kootwijk's biggest impact, however, came with the opening of the telephone link to the Dutch East Indies. After the grand opening by Queen Mother Emma in 1923, during which she uttered the legendary words "Hello Bandoeng, can you hear me?", people in the Netherlands could contact relatives on the other side of the world directly. This was a revolutionary feature for the time. For 30 guilders, people could call the Dutch East Indies for three minutes. These phone calls were emotionally charged moments. Family members, who often had not been in direct contact for years, suddenly heard each other's voices over a distance of 12,000 kilometres. The emotions were sometimes so overwhelming that people could not utter a word or even fainted.

World War II brought dark days for the residents of Radio Kootwijk. The German occupiers took over the broadcasting station and probably the whole village. The residents' lives changed drastically. The transmitting equipment was used to control the Nazi U-boats. Residents' freedom was severely curtailed. Yet the sense of community remained strong, and many helped each other through this difficult time. Some even dared to sabotage the Germans, despite strict surveillance. There is a monument to the residents of Radio Kootwijk who died in the process.

After the war, peace slowly returned to Radio Kootwijk. Technology continued to develop and the world had changed forever. But the memories of the first conversations with the Dutch East Indies, the strong community ties and the determination of the employees always remained.

Radio Kootwijk symbolises the connection between people, regardless of distance or circumstances. The story of the people who lived and worked there reflects an era of technological progress and human resilience. It is a story to be cherished, as an important part of our history.

This cycle route takes you past the remnants of all these beautiful stories and through the beautiful area where these stories took place.


This Premium cycle route has been compiled by our editor: Désirée van Uffelen