AIDS memorial service in Atrium

Published: 29 November 2011 Modified: 29 November 2011

On 30 November a memorial service in the Atrium of The Hague City Hall will mark World AIDS Day.

'Arms Around You'

The Municipality of The Hague is organising this memorial service together with the Oleanworld Foundation, which also has an exhibition in the Atrium. Deputy Mayor Rabin Baldewsingh (Public Health) will open the annual commemoration at 17.00 hrs.

The commemoration will also be the start for Testlab, a method which simplifies online registration for the testing of sexually transmitted infections.

World AIDS Day, observed 1 December each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. The number of AIDS infections is on the rise each year throughout the world, including in the Netherlands. The memorial service is meant to make people aware that AIDS is still a dangerous epidemic.

Giving victims a face

‘Giving AIDS victims a face’ is the motto of the 'Arms Around You' exhibition in the Atrium of The Hague City Hall from 22 November to 2 December. The exhibition features 3D video projections on sculptures.

For more than seven years, the metres-high AIDS sculptures by artist Ciska de Hartogh from the Oleanworld Foundation have formed the backbone of the World AIDS Day memorial. This year only the heads of the sculptures can be seen due to a lack of funding.

Testlab

In reducing AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), detection plays an important role. This is why The Hague has joined Testlab. This initiative by the Schorer Foundation has already proven successful in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Testlab is designed to test STIs and HIV more easily and faster. Men can have themselves tested anonymously, free and without physical examination for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. After filling in a form on www.mantotman.nl participants can report anonymously to one of the blood testing locations. This new facility is an expanded service for the regional STI centre of The Hague. The number of people tested is expected to increase.