Paper short abstract:

Makeshift memorial sites were created after Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn was murdered on 6 May, 2002. It will be discussed how these sites became performative foci for dealing with this murder and at the same time were transformed into arenas of the social and political resentment among the Dutch.

Paper long abstract:

In 2001 mr. Pim Fortuyn entered Dutch national politics in order to realise fundamental changes in the rigid traditional political systeem. With his unorthodox approach, his charisma and practical solutions for the socio-cultural problems in Dutch society he achieved an immense popularity. Some days before the elections, on may 6 2002, he was shot dead. Desperation and mourning were nationwide and makeshift memorial sites were created. In this paper will be discussed how these sites became pre-eminent performative foci for dealing and processing with Fortuyn's murder and at the same time transformed also into arenas of the social and political resentment among the Dutch.