Soest, 13th of April 2014

The existence of a Flag of Compassion from August 2008 – April 2014

Park Sonsbeek, August 2008
On one of the tall masts at the main building of Park Sonsbeek hangs a flag that captures my attention:
a clear white background carries an undulating golden yellow beam. What a joyful flag!
The flag appears to have a name: the Flag of Compassion and it is an artwork.
The philosophy and principles behind this work, beautifully designed and expressed in the Manifesto of the Flag, affect us and Flag number 011 gets a permanent place on our flagpole.
Only on National Holidays and (Royal) birthdays it momentarily gives way to the red, white and blue – if suitable with the orange streamer – but at least 355 other days of the year she is present.
She endures wind, rain, snow and sleet, undergoes her yearly washes, always displays her striking golden beam and thereby conveys her message.
Dozens of people ask us about her history, and we are glad to tell it and are in turn happy with the reactions that show that her intriguing effect still works: surprise, admiration, emotion, always hopeful and positive.

Soest, April 2014:
The test of time is unmistakably relentless and last week our Flag started her second life in the textile recycling process.
We welcome her follower soon!

Elly and Jan Hoogteijling, Soest