Den Burg in Texel, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Dr. Lejzer Zamenhof Monument

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 1, 2026

1. Dr. Lejzer Zamenhof Monument Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Dit monument op Texel is een eerbetoon aan Dr. Lejzer Zamenhof, ontwerper van de internationale hulptaal Esperanto als bidrage tot begrip tussen verschillende volkeren en culturen. De bouw was een initiatief van Johan M. Duinker die zijn enthousiasme voor deze taal op velen overbracht. Honderden mensen leerden Esperanto en brachten het geld voor dit gedenkteken bijeen. Het in 1935 onthulde monument werd in 1941 op last van de Duitse bezetter gesloopt. De herbouw na de oorlog heeft Duinker niet mogen meemaken. Met negen andere Texelaars werd hij op 6 april 1945 door de Duitsers gefusilleerd.

(This monument on Texel pays tribute to Dr. Lejzer Zamenhof, the creator of the international auxiliary language Esperanto, intended to foster understanding between different peoples and cultures. Its construction was initiated by Johan M. Duinker, who shared his enthusiasm for the language with many others. Hundreds of people learned Esperanto and raised the funds for the memorial. Unveiled in 1935, the monument was demolished in 1941 by order of the German occupying forces. Duinker did not live to see its post-war reconstruction; on April 6, 1945, he and nine other residents of Texel were executed by firing squad by the Germans.)

Erected 2016.

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Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1945.

Location. 53° 3.387′ N, 4° 47.704′ E. Marker is in Den Burg, Noord-Holland (North Holland), in Texel. It is at the intersection of Kogerstraat and De Ses, on the right when traveling south on Kogerstraat. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Kogerstraat 36, Den Burg, Noord-Holland 1791 GK, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk van den Burg / Dutch Reformed Church of Den Burg (about 240 meters away, measured in a direct line); Molen de Traanroeier / Windmill de Traanroeier / Mühle de Traanroeier (approx. 4.1 kilometers away); Bakker Steegie / Bakker Alley

Dr. Lejzer Zamenhof Monument - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 1, 2026

2. Dr. Lejzer Zamenhof Monument - wide view

(approx. 4.1 kilometers away); De Noorderhaven / The “North Harbor” (approx. 4.1 kilometers away); Vliegtuigcrash Lancaster JA932 MG-M Gedenkteken / Lancaster JA932 MG-M Crash Memorial (approx. 4.1 kilometers away); Siem de Waal Returns (approx. 4.2 kilometers away); De Zuiderhaven / The “South Harbor” (approx. 4.2 kilometers away); Harold E. Kious Rescued (approx. 4.2 kilometers away).

Also see . . .
1. Esperantomonument in Den Burg (Texel) (Esperanto Nederland, in Dutch). Excerpt (in translation):

On Wednesday, February 24, 2016, a commemorative plaque was unveiled at the Esperanto monument on Kogerstraat in Den Burg, Texel.

The text on the plaque refers to the monument, the founder of Esperanto, and Mr. Johan Duinker, who played a key role in introducing this auxiliary language to Texel and initiated the construction of the monument. Johan Duinker was murdered by the Germans during the ‘Russian War’ in April 1945; the plaque also serves as a reminder of this event.

The unveiling was performed by his son, Wim Duinker from Leiden, assisted by Mary Smidt-Witte—widow of Klaas Smidt, who had worked to improve the condition
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 1, 2026

3. Dr. Lejzer Zamenhof Monument - wider view
of the monument and its immediate surroundings. The ceremony was attended by key figures, including Alderman Frank Kingma of the Municipality of Texel, the owner of the monument.

(Submitted on July 5, 2026.)

2. L.L. Zamenhof (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

L. L. Zamenhof (1859–1917) was the creator of Esperanto, the most widely used constructed international auxiliary language.

(Submitted on July 5, 2026.)

Dr. Lejzer Zamenhof memorial plaque (located on monument) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 1, 2026

4. Dr. Lejzer Zamenhof memorial plaque (located on monument)

Johan Duinker memorial plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 1, 2026

5. Johan Duinker memorial plaque

Also on the the monument is a memorial plaque in Esperanto, which reads (in translation): Demolished in 1941. Rebuilt in 1950, through cooperation between the Esperanto community and the Texel public, in honor of the memory of Joh. M. Duinker, who initiated the construction in 1935.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 5, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.