As soon as more information about the program is available, it will be posted on Meierijstad Herdenkt.

The Netherlands

80 year Freedom: commemorate and celebrate

During this period, there will be all kinds of things to see, do and learn. For both young and old. Commemorations will be held and monuments unveiled. Come and watch various historical columns and reenactment (= reenacting historical events). Hop on your bike for one of the bike tours that will take you past important sites, or put on your walking shoes for a new podwalk. There will be concerts and much more.Slowly but surely, separate announcements will appear on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.meierijstadherdenkt.nl/">Meierijstad Herdenk</a>t. So keep a close eye on the website.

80 years of freedom: commemorating and celebrating

Program to be announced later.

Belgium

Nuts Weekend @ Bastogne War Museum

Moment 1: Commemorating and celebrating the liberation of the southern Netherlands12 September marks the start of the national celebration of 80 years of freedom. On this day in 1944, the liberation of the Netherlands began in Mesch in Limburg. Zeeland, Brabant and part of Gelderland soon followed. The liberation was accompanied by fierce fighting, many casualties and a winter of famine. Eventually, the whole of the Netherlands was liberated on 5 May 1945. A few months later, on 15 August of that same year, World War II came to an end in what was then the Dutch East Indies and thus the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 2024 and 2025, we will celebrate and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and the fact that we have been living in freedom since the end of World War II.&nbsp;Moment 2: Commemorating the HolocaustDuring World War II (1940-1945), the Nazis murdered nearly 6 million Jews. They also persecuted and murdered Roma and Sinti, Jehovah’s Witnesses, people with physical or mental disabilities, homosexuals and political opponents. In January, we reflect on these victims.&nbsp;We commemorate their persecution and murder 80 years ago. We will do so on 26 January, during the National Holocaust Remembrance Day in Amsterdam, as well as on other occasions.&nbsp;Moment 3: Commemorating and celebrating the liberation of the east and north of the NetherlandsEighty years ago, in April 1945, allied soldiers advanced towards the north and east of the Netherlands to also liberate the provinces of South Holland, North Holland, Utrecht, Overijssel, Drenthe, Friesland and Groningen. While the south of the Netherlands had already been liberated, the occupied part of the country had to endure a long, hard winter of famine. Partly with the help of the resistance, mainly Canadian soldiers managed to liberate large parts of the country.&nbsp;Moment 4: National Remembrance and Liberation Celebration on 4 and 5 MayEvey year during the National Remembrance Day on 4 May, we remember the victims of World War II and of war situations and peacekeeping operations thereafter. At 8pm, there will be a 2-minute moment of silence throughout the Netherlands. On 5 May, we celebrate the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945 and the fact that we have been living in freedom ever since.&nbsp;On that day, we also reflect on the value of freedom, democracy and human rights.&nbsp;Moment 5: Commemorating and celebrating the end of World War IIOn 15 August, we remember the end of World War II for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and commemorate all the victims of the war against Japan and the Japanese occupation of the then Dutch East Indies. These wartime experiences and the large-scale displacement that followed after liberation continue to affect our society to this day.

80 years of freedom in 5 moments

In the municipality of Geldrop – Mierlo, the official ceremony is held at the British War Cemetery. In collaboration with the Municipality and the Oranje Committee Mierlo, the “De Drie Harten” foundation organizes the commemoration at the British War Cemetery on Geldropseweg. During this event, not only are those who fell during World War II remembered, but also those who continue to fight for peace today. Thanks to the contributions of the mayor, a representative of the municipal council, clergy, scouting groups, musical bands, choirs, the Guilds of Geldrop-Mierlo, and speakers, a solemn commemoration takes place every year.

Dodenherdenking (Remembrance Day)

Evening of lights. Candles at the graves all fallen soldiers buried here, placed by volunteers.

Evening of lights

The Koetshuistuin commemorates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Best by British soldiers of the 15th Scottish Division and the 51st Highland Division.During the ceremony, plaques will be unveiled bearing the names of the 171 Britons who died. Music will be provided by Harmonie St Caecilia, the Occasion Choir and backpiper Willie McVean. The ceremony will start at 6.30pm. Afterwards, at the initiative of Musical October Best, there will be a performance by the Marine Band of the Royal Navy in Best's sports hall.

Commemoration liberation Best

Italy

Sulle tracce dei Sudafricani. La battaglia di Monte Catarelto

En lien avec l'exposition, la Compagnie du Grain de sable présente une lecture musicale à partir d'extraits de textes écrits par le célèbre photoreporter. Une conférence animée par Olivier Weber rend hommage à Gerda Taro, femme de Robert Capa, également grande photographe de guerre.

France

Exposition Robert Capa

Programma:- Saluti istituzionali di rappresentanti del Comune di Brisighella (Karen Chiarini???) e del Comune di Imola (Assessore alla Cultura Giacomo Gambi).&nbsp;- Introduce e modera Franco Conti, Associazione Ca' di MalancaProiezione di “Combattere per la libertà” video-documentario sulla Resistenza, con le musiche di Brigata Garibaldi Big Band e Radici nel cemento. A cura dell’Istituto storico della Resistenza in Ravenna e Provincia (2020, 10 minuti)Interventi di:<ul><li>Luciano Casali, già professore ordinario di Storia contemporanea e Storia della Spagna contemporanea all'Università di Bologna (titolo: "Il contesto bellico nell’autunno ‘44")&nbsp;</li><li>Roberta Mira, ricercatrice, docente di Storia contemporanea all'Università di Bologna e collaboratrice dell'Istituto Parri e di vari Istituti della Resistenza (titolo: "La 36a Brigata Bianconcini")&nbsp;</li><li>Anna Cocchi, presidentessa ANPI provinciale di Bologna (titolo: "L'attualità della lotta di Liberazione")&nbsp;</li></ul>Conclusioni da parte di un rappresentante dell'Unione della Romagna Faentina.&nbsp;

80° anniversario della Battaglia di Purocielo 

During this ceremony, plaques will be unveiled with the names of the 171 British who died. Music will be provided by Harmonie St. Caecilia, the Gelegenheidskoor and back piper Willie McVean. The ceremony will start at 18:30. Afterwards, on the initiative of Muzikale Oktober Best, there will be a performance by the Marinierskapel der Koninklijke Marine in the sports hall of Best.

The overall programme includes many activities: A special commemorative opening by dignitaries, exhibition on the liberation of Hoofdplaat, educational day for the children, demonstration by the Riding Artillery Corps, performance Pipes &amp; Drums, performance Marine Band, etc.

80 year Freedom: commemorate and celebrate

80 years of freedom: commemorating and celebrating

Nuts Weekend @ Bastogne War Museum

80 years of freedom in 5 moments

Dodenherdenking (Remembrance Day)

Evening of lights

Commemoration liberation Best

Sulle tracce dei Sudafricani. La battaglia di Monte Catarelto

Exposition Robert Capa

80° anniversario della Battaglia di Purocielo

Commemoration liberation Best

Hoofdplaat 80 Years of freedom

Register your event on Europe Remembers

Date

Country

Type of event

80 year Freedom: commemorate and celebrate

80 years of freedom: commemorating and celebrating

Nuts Weekend @ Bastogne War Museum

80 years of freedom in 5 moments

Dodenherdenking (Remembrance Day)

Evening of lights

Commemoration liberation Best

Sulle tracce dei Sudafricani. La battaglia di Monte Catarelto

Exposition Robert Capa

80° anniversario della Battaglia di Purocielo

Commemoration liberation Best

Hoofdplaat 80 Years of freedom

Register your event on Europe Remembers