Dutch Liberation Day May 5th
DUTCH LIBERATION DAY
MAY 5TH
Join us in thanking the Allies for the Liberation of Holland, and all of Europe. Isn't it wonderful that Andre Rieu, his family, Pierre with his WWII Museum Dream, the JSO and all the fans remember?
Share your Memories and Thank You here
The Netherlands is unique amongst its neighbours in having two national holidays stemming from the second World War: Remembrance Day - 'Dodenherdenking' and Liberation Day - 'Bevrijdingsdag'.
On 4 May there are solemn ceremonies commemorating all the Dutch who have died in conflicts worldwide. On 5 May, there is a celebration of freedom everywhere, now and in the future, especially where it is threatened. The two days have changed in character over the years but still reflect the significance of the second World War in the Dutch psyche.
The Rituals
Remembrance Day - 4 May: The official, nationally televised commemoration begins in the evening with a service at a church in central Amsterdam, after which veterans and victims' relatives lay wreaths at the National War Memorial on nearby Dam square. Church bells ring for a quarter of an hour till 8 pm, when there is a nationwide two-minute silence. Dignitaries and other victims' groups then lay more wreaths and a child reads out a self-written poem, selected by a local jury. A ceremonial procession past the National War Memorial marks the end of proceedings.
Liberation Day - 5 May: The Prime Minister launches the day's events, traditionally from a different province each year. There follow cultural readings and exhibitions reflecting that year's topical theme. The big event of the day in many Dutch towns is an open air pop festival featuring top acts. These events are designed to get young people involved. In the evening, there is an official televised concert at the Amstel Bridge in Amsterdam, attended by the Queen and government ministers.
Origins
In the early years, Remembrance Day reflected a more somber public mood. All over Holland there were silent processions in memory of fallen local Resistance members and fellow citizens shot by the Germans. Their slogan was "no celebration without commemoration", so Remembrance Day always fell before Liberation Day. Their well-attended processions contrasted with the rather stuffy official commemoration in the Hague. It took the Dutch government until the eighties to come up with a unified national format for the proceedings which in some way emulated the atmosphere of those early local silent processions.
Although the war continued in the Far East and the Netherlands was not fully liberated until August 1945, it was soon decided that Liberation Day should be held on 5 May, the date of the German army's capitulation. It used to be the poor relative of Remembrance Day, only being celebrated once every five years from the sixties to the late seventies. Nowadays it is a popular, festive occasion whose stated aim is not just to celebrate Holland's liberation from the German occupation between 1940-45 but also to cherish freedom and democracy worldwide.
Categories: Holidays, ANDRE RIEU, Special Entry, JSO Choir - Orchestra, Video
It is a fine day today, as the Netherlands can celebrate yet another year of remembrance. Liberation from WWII's invasion of enemy army.
My mother, who is now very ill and aged, still remembers her brother, Stan, a Canadian Soldier, going off to WWII in 1939, at the age of 21. My mother was 13 years old. He was one of many Canadian Soldiers who assisted in the Liberation. Stan returned in 1945,when the war ended. My mother was now 19. When my mother, my grandmother, grandfather, aunt and uncles went to the train depot to meet Stan, he walked passed my mother. He did not recognize her. She had grown up from 13 to 19!
Stan returned with some friends. Some, he left behind in the Netherlands. Young men, who rest peacefully under Dutch skies.
All through those 6 years, my Uncle Stan wrote faithfully to my grandmother (his mother). I have the letter now in my possession, as my mother is ... that is another matter.
Getting back to the point. Those letters were opened and read before being mailed to my grandmother. Parts of the letters were blackened out. This was a protocol the Canadian Army took, in order that the enemy could not gain any information.
My mother has and had friends, who came to Canada after the war from the Netherlands. They would tell her times when they were so starving, they ate tulip bulbs. They would strip the wallpaper off walls and boil the glue off and eat it.
Bad memories, perhaps, a lesson, for sure. A certainty for some who wish, that something so tragic will never happen again.
For my mother and father (rest in peace)
nothing goes without worth
Love Grace
A Proud Canadian/Canadienne
Hi dear Grace, what a wonderful tribute to your family and our soldiers. I was so moved that it brought tears to my eyes. What a great thing the soldiers did and I know the Dutch are so grateful. If I ever get to the Netherlands I do want to visit that cemetary. Thanks to your wonderful family and to all who helped liberate the Netherlands. Love you soulmate friend
Dear Grace, Thank you for enlightening us and sharing. Your story brought tears of pride to my eyes, that the world has known such brave young men.
I own the DVD:Canada And The Liberation Of The Netherlands. (it was a tip from Marianne). It is a wonderful story of the brave Canadians who fought and helped Holland regain her freedom.
It is due to the brave men (and women) such as your Uncle Stan, that we are able to enjoy Freedom, and the Freedom of our Dutch Friends.
Margraten Cemetery
God Bless all who gave, and those who gave all.
Thank you Grace, for sharing your memories. To all who love freedom, I'll never forget the words of this man..."Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again".
-Ronald Reagan
Thanks for taking the time to add this kind of info. Topics like this is what makes this blog so interesting.
Bill in Arizona
Thank you Sally for putting up such a beautiful tribute, it gave me goosebumps. I watched André and listened to his words and as he played “America The Beautiful” I thought of the time that he was giving tribute to. What a special moment it must have been for those at that concert.
Also, I appreciate the time and effort that Pierre has put into his collection. It must really be a thing of the heart to give so much to this “hobby”.
I was not even born yet when the liberation occurred, but it still gets to me when I hear of the stories of not only the bravery but what the Allies did to liberate Holland. The men and women who fought for the freedoms of the world…can there ever be enough thanks?
I feel that Freedom is one of the rights of humanity. To be free from oppression and hatred and from the horrible atrocities that certain “leaders” inflict upon people. To be free from war...may we always dream of a time where there will be total peace in the world for all mankind. I pray that we see this happen in our lifetime.
Grace, thank you for sharing your very touching memories. Let's all hope that there truly will come a time that no family member will ever have to go through this again.
I is my honour to tell what I know via my family and friends, as well as from mandatory history in school,about the liberation of Holland. When The First Canadian Army liberated Holland on May 5, 1945, Holland sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to be planted in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They still bloom there each year to this day.
It was in Ottawa, that the Royal Dutch Family was kept for 5 years. One Princess was born in Canada; however, a portion of the Ottawa was deemed "Dutch Territory", so the Princess could be born of Dutch and not Canadian birth. It was on the day of her birth that once and only did a foreign flag wave on Parliament Hill - the Dutch Flag.
Since 1945, every year, Holland sends Canada 10,000 tulip bulbs to be planted in Ottawa. A Tulip Festival each fall is put on in Ottawa for the planting.
For the 7600 fallen; and the thousands and thousands injured, in Holland and for the other countries that assisted in liberating Holland from what would be known as the worst war in history, I give my honour and respect.
Thank You for all you have done.
Dear friends, This is the time of year when we remember the sacrifice made by the allies at both Dunkirk & Dieppe. The mine Doctor in Hedley where I grew up, lost a leg at Dieppe. so that raid was close to home. Eveery generation has to be aware that we have to guard our freedoms, or the will be lost so in my later years I understand the Candian national anthem a lot better as we each stand on guard for freedom & the rights of every individual & if we don't we can lose all that those who have gone before gave their all so we can be free
Love to all Marianne
It´s interesting to listen about this wonderful tribute to the soldiers. We are so happy in my country cause we never had wars!
What a wonderful world we would have, if only....there were no wars anywhere.
I think Andre is correct, when he says, if everyone would put down their weapons, and make music instead of war .. it would be beautiful.
This is very true Sally. Thank you for this. I sincerely hope Andre's voice and music is heard and interpreted that way.
If in any time of feeling down or sorrow, just think of that song "What A Wonderful World". Really listen to the words. That is what I feel in Andre's music.
Love Grace, who wants to make the world a little better place.
Hi Grace, you already have made the world a better place just by being in it. I miss our emails but I will contact you. This trip really tired us out and I think I did just as much work before we went! Hope all is well with you. Take care my sweet friend. Love and hugs
Thanks for the very interesting and moving history of the Dutch Liberation.
There have been many times when I read an article about events that happened in
history, and I always take the time to
get angry with my self and, ask myself,
why didn't you pay more attention while you in school. But it's never too late,
although it would have improved my HS scores. Now at this time in life I find myself wanting to get my hands on certain history books and so enjoy reading all the lessons to be learned, and still the lessons of what is still happening. Well, I really enjoyed that material, and helps realize how Andre and his parents lived that past history.
I'll be back. Smiles to all.
I enjoy and entertained by your dvd's although i'm not able to see you in person. you have such a wonderful concerts every places you go as i see it in your dvd's. how i wish that i'm one of your musicians.
Hi Lyle,
I see this is your very first comment on this blog
Welcome!
You will great enhance your enjoyment of Andre's DVD, if you regularly look at the topics & the comments. I sincerely hope you will continue to actively participate in our conversations.
Bill in Arizona aka
ModeratorBillAZ
Yes, Sally, André is right!
Music is life, war is death.
Kisses