Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for stronger military cooperation during the May 5 lecture. This cooperation was also visible in the Freedom Parade where, alongside the WWII veterans, 12 countries participated. Additionally, the Minister of Defense, Ruben Brekelmans, gave a speech and Prime Minister Schoof and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk jointly lit the Liberation Fire.

The Freedom Parade

During the Freedom Parade, the large crowd honored the WWII veterans, who led the parade, and emphasized international military cooperation since 1945. This was evident with the participation of foreign military units from: Canada, Germany, France, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, and United States. A delegation from NATO headquarters in Brunssum, Allied Joint Forces Command Brunssum (JFCBS), also participated in the Freedom Parade. Among the various dignitaries was also the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon. She also saw how the 25 Canadian WWII veterans received applause from the audience during the Freedom Parade.

Liberation Festival Gelderland

During the Liberation Festival Gelderland, with 15 stages spread throughout the city, freedom was musically cherished. With a programming for and by Wageningen, the audience saw promising talent and professional musicians on stage. Well-known names such as Rondé, Zoë Tauran, Roxy Dekker & Douwe Bob conveyed the message of freedom to a large (young) audience.

City of Freedom

On May 5, 1945, in Wageningen, at Hotel de Wereld, the conditions for capitulation were agreed upon. This gave Wageningen the title City of Freedom. For almost 80 years, the Netherlands has lived in peace and freedom, which seems almost taken for granted. The war in Ukraine and the Middle East makes many feel that freedom is under pressure. That is why, in remembering the struggle, cherishing freedom is more important than ever, as freedom is not a given.