Extinction Rebellion Disrupts Madurodam and Blocks ‘The Flying Dutchman’

The miniature theme park Madurodam in The Hague was the scene of a striking protest yesterday. Activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) blocked the popular attraction ‘The Flying Dutchman’ around 1:00 PM. With a large banner and a clear message, they called on the park to sever all ties to fossil fuel companies.

This protest is part of a broader XR campaign that targets the normalization of polluting corporations in public institutions, especially where children and education are the focus.

Why Did Extinction Rebellion Target Madurodam?

According to the activists, Madurodam plays a role in normalizing and even promoting major polluters.

The park positions itself as a child-friendly and educational environment but partners with a significant number of fossil-fuel sponsors. Examples include KLM, Shell, Gasunie, and the Port of Rotterdam. XR argues these collaborations are problematic and misleading, particularly for its young visitors.

The activists claim that children get a distorted image of companies that, in reality, play a large role in the climate crisis. For example, airlines like KLM are presented in the park as heroic pioneers, while in reality, they’re responsible for enormous greenhouse gas emissions.

Criticism of KLM’s “Greenwashing”

Extinction Rebellion specifically singled out KLM. According to the group, the airline has previously been convicted of greenwashing – pretending to be greener than it really is.

The climate damage caused by KLM annually would be comparable to the emissions from two million households. XR states that the company wants to keep increasing flights, while climate science calls for a significant reduction in the aviation sector.

Their accusation is clear: XR says KLM lies about its sustainability goals and tries to polish its image with children via venues like Madurodam. “A dangerous form of influence,” one spokesperson called it. “Children must learn about the reality of the climate crisis, not a fairy tale where polluters are the heroes.”

A Banner in the Miniature World

During the protest, the activists held a large banner with the text: “Fossil is too big in our Madurodam.”

They wanted to highlight that even in a miniature world, the influence of major fossil fuel companies is too visible and dominant. The protest was peaceful, but drew a lot of attention from park visitors. Some responded with surprise, others cheered the message.

Choosing ‘The Flying Dutchman’ as the focal point wasn’t random. The attraction stands for the aviation sector and, in the context of the park, also for pride and progress. According to XR, it’s time to reconsider such symbolism.

Fossil Sponsors Take Up Half the Park

Research by XR shows that about half of Madurodam’s area is in some way linked to companies associated with fossil fuels.

Companies like Shell, Port of Rotterdam, Gasunie, and KLM are shamelessly presented as part of Dutch pride, according to XR, without mentioning their harmful impact on the climate and environment.

“These are not innocent collaborations,” says XR spokesperson Brigitte van Erp. “This is active promotion of companies partly responsible for accelerating the climate and ecological crisis. And that in a park that claims to be about the future of children.”

Madurodam Has Yet to Respond

So far, Madurodam has not officially responded to the protest or to Extinction Rebellion’s accusations. It’s unclear whether the park plans to review its sponsorship policy or open dialogue with the group.

According to visitors present during the protest, Madurodam’s staff remained calm, and the protest was not interrupted. The activists left the park after a while without intervention from police or security.

A Wider Message on Education and Climate

The action at Madurodam is part of a broader trend of climate activists targeting educational institutions, museums, and child-friendly organizations that work with fossil fuel companies.

Extinction Rebellion has long campaigned against so-called greenwashing, where companies hide their environmentally damaging activities behind sustainable marketing.

According to XR, it’s crucial that children and young people get an honest picture of climate issues and that educational institutions do not compromise this for sponsorship money.

“It’s time to stop giving polluters a platform, especially in places focused on our future,” says Van Erp.

What Does Extinction Rebellion Want?

With actions like this, Extinction Rebellion hopes to pressure organizations to cut their ties to the fossil fuel industry. For Madurodam, that means no longer accepting sponsors who are actively involved in oil, gas, or large-scale CO2 emissions.

Additionally, XR wants to ignite debate about how companies shape public perception, especially among youth. Ultimately, the goal is systemic change: less pollution, greater transparency, and more ethics in business and education.

The Debate Over Fossil Sponsorship Continues

Blocking ‘The Flying Dutchman’ is just one example of how climate activism is moving to the heart of society. What used to happen mainly on highways and at government buildings now frequently takes place in locations where children, families, and education are central.

It is uncertain whether Madurodam will respond to Extinction Rebellion’s call. But it is clear that the debate over fossil sponsors in public spaces is only growing louder.

Source: https://trendyvandaag.nl/extinction-rebellion-valt-madurodam-binnen-en-blokkeert-the-flying-dutchman