Ode to Femke HalsemaMother Amsterdam
Mayor Femke Halsema, source: Wikimedia
Mother Amsterdam
Amsterdam, the place where it all began
I love you, my earth, my sun
Then grow, my Mokum, grow towards
Upwards
Let zeal be celebrated here, safe in
your lap
Amsterdamers together, together
Amsterdam
As-salaamu 'alaykum
Fawaka Amsterdam
Amsterdam centuries of joy and
sorrow
The masters, the slaves
Only love triumphs
Let the heart always speak
When thinking becomes shaky
People are and remain
Kosher and free
Amsterdamers together together
Amsterdam
As-salaamu alaykum
Fawaka Amsterdam
Amsterdam world ground on which
we stand
One heartbeat one future in
respect for each other
Argument leads to strengthening
the paths illuminated again
Return to colors return
to the light
People of Amsterdam together together
Amsterdam
As-salaamu alaykum
Fawaka Amsterdam
Hannah Belliot
About
Ode to Femke Halsema by Hannah Belliot
This ode to Femke Halsema is based on a poem written by Hannah Belliot, who was alderwoman for culture in the municipality of Amsterdam. Belliot rewrote the third verse especially for this purpose. “Femke Halsema takes an incredible amount of heat, and this ode is meant as a show of support for this woman.” The melody that accompanies the ode was sung at Hannah Belliot's farewell and fits the lyrics of the ode.
Femke Halsema
Femke Halsema (1966) has been the mayor of Amsterdam since 2018. Prior to that, Halsema was a member of parliament and party chairperson for GroenLinks. Ode to the “most powerful woman” in Amsterdam.