FAQ – general questions 

The reading of the names will take approximately 140 hours.  

For the 2025 edition, we chose to read the names of a broader group of victims, which increases the number to 104,000 victims. 

The names are read in alphabetical order. We cannot give an exact time, but we can give an approximate period. We determine this based on the first letters of the last name. 

The museum is open from Wednesday, January 22, beginning at 10 a.m., then day and night until 5 p.m. on January 27. During Namen Lezen, regular admissions apply.  The former camp area is open to visitors day and night. 

There is no direct train or bus service to the Memorial. If you travel by train, you can get off at Assen or Beilen. For more information on how to continue your journey, we kindly refer you to this information page. 

When you travel by car, take exit 31 (Westerbork/Hooghalen) or 31a (Assen) on highway A28. From here follow the signs ‘Voormalig kamp Westerbork’. There is ample free parking at the Memorial. The former camp area can be reached by shuttle bus. If you use a navigation system, you can enter the following address: Oosthalen 8, 9414TG – Hooghalen. 

It is allowed to take photos and videos during Namen Lezen, as long as it does not disturb the readers and audience.   

The Memorial’s museum cafe is open day and night during Namen Lezen. A shuttle bus will take visitors to the former camp area. There are restrooms at the reading tent and visitors can have coffee and tea. Some wheelchairs are also available here. 

Dogs are not allowed in the museum or in the tent where the names are read. Outside in the former camp area, however, dogs are allowed.   

For other questions, please contact info@kampwesterbork.nl or + 31 (0) 593 59 26 00. 

Of course, you can bring people with you. The tent offers plenty of room for listeners. Children are also welcome, but keep in mind the solemn character of Namen Lezen.  

Each reading session lasts about ten minutes. Approximately XX names are read aloud during a reading session. 

Namen Lezen will not be recorded in its entirety due to the large amount of video footage and our limited storage space. However, a live stream is available on our website http://www.namenlezen.nl and at www.nos.nl 

We find it very special that you are participating in Namen Lezen and you are cordially invited to share about it on social media. We will also occasionally share impressions of staff and readers on the communication channels of the Westerbork Memorial.  

We ask readers and visitors to consider the solemn nature of Namen Lezen and dress accordingly.