We are ushering in the new year at the Zeeuws Museum with the exhibition protest procession parade. Get ready for a colourful procession of historical and recent banners that represent trade unions, sports clubs, associations, church congregations and social protest movements. A demonstration of the voice of the people: identities and ideals given expressed with needle and thread. During the first month, the exhibition gives pride of place to Rembrandt’s painting The Standard Bearer (1636), which is travelling through all twelve provinces of the Netherlands. The Dutch State purchased the painting for 175 million euros in January 2022. Since the cultural sector has suffered so much because of the pandemic and lockdowns, this enormous expenditure has elicited mixed reactions.

Inspired by this special guest, the exhibition protest procession parade brings together standards, flags and banners and examines how they have been used across the centuries. It also reflects on the figurative meaning of holding something in high esteem, and asks the question: what ideals do you stand up for?

The knowledge and techniques that various communities have used in their banners provide inspiration for new forms of expression. In a series of workshops, we invite various groups and initiatives to make their own banners, some of which will be added to the exhibition.

protest processie parade features works by Klaas Rommelaere, Aram Han Sifuentes, Lara Schnitger and Max van Loon, among many others. For the complementary programme, we are working with, among others, PrintRoom Rotterdam and the Protest Banner Lending Library.