It has been 79 years since the Netherlands was liberated. People across the province came together today to celebrate freedom. And that celebration started early; During the night from Saturday to Sunday, running groups left Wageningen across the country to spread the flame of freedom.
Traditionally, the Liberation Fire is lit in Wageningen on the night of May 4 to 5. From the square in front of Hotel de Wereld, where the German capitulation was negotiated in 1945, the runners are given torches to use during the walk.
Team Zeewolde receives the Freedom Fire
Delegations from Almere, Lelystad and Zeewolde brought the fire to the province. A trip of tens of kilometers while the weather was not exactly good. Nevertheless, the runners were warmly welcomed, including young Eloise and Amelie. “It was very good. Quite an experience,” the Lelystad residents laughed.
Freedom Fire arrives in Lelystad
All freedoms are celebrated
Talk about liberation while enjoying a snack and a drink; People gathered at more than 40 places in the province during the so-called freedom meals. A Keti Koti freedom meal was organized for the first time in Almere, where people reflected on the role of Suriname and the Antilles in WWII.
It was pleasantly busy in the Cultuurdome
Organizer Glen Leeuwin does not only reflect on the liberation after WWII. “This day also marks the transatlantic slavery past where our people were also liberated 150 years ago.” And Leeuwin did this together with dozens of attendees.
Sun, sun and more sun
Earlier this week it seemed to be a rainy Liberation Day. Nothing turned out to be further from the truth; the sun showed itself regularly, to the delight of the many party visitors in Almere. Even before the start of the real festivities, the Esplanade on the Weerwater was already full of people.
Read the live blog about the Liberation Day festivities here
The fire of the King’s Commissioner
King’s Commissioner Arjen Gerritsen was also present at the Esplanade. For Gerritsen it is the first Liberation Day in Flevoland. He has been working in the province since November 2023. “It’s great to be able to light the Liberation Fire here for the first time and to take a look before and behind the scenes together with Mayor Hein van der Loo,” the commissioner said on LinkedIn.
Arjen Gerritsen lights the fire of freedom in Almere
Organizer Barry Bouquet expects even more people on the square during the day and evening. And it may be the last time that the Esplanade will be full of Liberation revelers; We are busy looking for a new location. “We notice that it is getting fuller and fuller.” There is no definitive new location yet, but Bouquet already has an idea. “The Lumière Park in Almere is an attractive place, you really have more space there.”
Tags: Omroep Flevoland News Flevoland celebrated Liberation Day today
-
