Wageningen, The City of Liberation
2020 is the year that we commemorate 75 years of freedom since the end of World War II. Every year since the end of the war in 1945, May 4th and 5th are dedicated to commemorating the heroes and celebrating our freedom. May 4th is the national Remembrance of the Dead (Dodenherdenking) – honoring the soldiers and civilians who fought for our freedom and all the victims who fell during times of war. On the night of 4th to 5th of May, the Freedom Fire is lit on the historically important location in front of ‘Hotel de Wereld’.
The Freedom Fire (Vrijheidsvuur) is a national symbol commemorating the end of World War II in the Netherlands. Wageningen is considered the City of Liberation, as this is where the capitulation was signed in the town’s ‘Hotel de Wereld’ in 1945. Annually, WWII veterans gather in Wageningen to tell their stories and pass on the Freedom Fire. This moment is an important part of the transition into May 5th: Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag). Throughout the country, many Liberation festivals are held celebrating our freedom and this year was marked to be a big ceremonial event, commemorating 75 years of freedom.