Parade to mark Liberation of Antwerp from the Nazis
The City of Antwerp has revealed its programme of events to mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Antwerp from Nazi forces. The Liberation will be celebrated with great pomp during a weekend of Liberation Days this September.
Many events are being staged during the first weekend of September. An enormous Liberation Village is going up along the quays of the River Schelde. Here historic airplanes and ships will be on show. The organisers say catering will be reminiscent of 1944 (!). You will also be able to follow a special route to discover stories, objects and eye witness accounts of the events of seventy-five years ago.
Visit the exhibition “Joy and Sorrow. Antwerp is Liberated 1944-1945” at the Felix Archive on Friday 6 September. A column of a hundred military vehicles will travel from Boom to Antwerp along the A12 motorway on Saturday 7 September. Actors and musicians will help to create a festive atmosphere. On Sunday 8 September the focus will be on remembering the victims.
“Antwerp wishes to stage a real Liberation Parade. The 75th anniversary is a turning point because those who experienced it can no longer tell the tale. It would be sad if their stories disappeared. That’s why it’s so important to make it clear that democracy is crucial” says burgomaster Bart De Wever.