De Schreeuw is an memorial that remembers the assassinated Dutch filmmaker/regisseur Theo van Gogh

Theo van Gogh (film director)

Theodoor "Theo" van Gogh was a Dutch film director, film producer, columnist, author and actor.Van Gogh worked with the Somali-born writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali to produce the film Submission, which criticized the treatment of women in Islam and aroused controversy among Muslims...

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Theo van Gogh was assassinated on 2 November 2004 in the Linnaeusstraat in Amsterdam, just a few steps away from the Oosterpark. The assassin was a Muslim extremist

Islamic extremism

Islamic extremism refers to two related and partially overlapping but also distinct aspects of extremist interpretations and pursuits of Islamic ideology:...

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The Cry, translation of "de Schreeuw", is "a powerful symbol of the freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...

", an official of the Amsterdam administration Martin Verbeet said. The artwork is located at the edge of the Oosterpark, so it can be seen by many people; "Theo literally cries to the people through this artwork."

The artwork, made by artist Jeroen Henneman, symbolizes freedom of speech, and how Theo Van Gogh was made speechless. One side of the 4.5 meter high and stainless steel sculpture shows a profile of Theo van Gogh, crying with mouth wide open. The other side shows him with his mouth closed.

It was revealed in the Oosterpark

Oosterpark (Amsterdam)

The Oosterpark in Amsterdam is the first large park laid out by the municipality of Amsterdam. The park is located in the Oost/Watergraafsmeer borough and forms a component of the Oosterpark area...

 in Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...

 on Sunday, March 18 2007. Accompanied by friends, relatives and others, the mayor of Amsterdam Job Cohen spoke some words of remembrance at the site.

During the revelation there were songs (chansons

Chanson

A chanson is in general any lyric-driven French song, usually polyphonic and secular. A singer specialising in chansons is known as a "chanteur" or "chanteuse" ; a collection of chansons, especially from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, is also known as a chansonnier.-Chanson de geste:The...

) written by Van Gogh. Cabaretier Hans Teeuwen

Hans Teeuwen

Hans Eduard Marie Teeuwen is a Dutch comedian, actor and an occasional singer and director. His work can be described as absurdist, apolitical and confrontational.- Theatre :...

, a good friend of the cineast, concluded the gathering with a (protest-)song for the free word and freedom of speech.

The artist who made the monument hopes that it makes the people remember the moment of the assassination. "For Theo van Gogh, who cries for mercy." Henneman is not afraid the monument will be damaged, and is confident the city of Amsterdam will take good care of it.

source: ANP Amsterdam