Remembrance & Liberation Day in Amsterdam
Amsterdam joins the rest of the Netherlands on 4 May when its citizens pause to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers of World War II and more recent military conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Then it's time for a national party on 5 May, as the crowds take to the streets to celebrate their freedom on Liberation Day.
National Remembrance Day
The first National Remembrance Day (Nationale Dodenherdenking) was held on Amsterdam's Dam Square in 1945 and this is still the focus of the city's ceremonies.
Head to the square to join members of the Dutch royal family, major political names and military representatives for the ceremony, which is built around the traditional bugle call and two-minutes of silence at 20:00.
Citywide ceremonies
In addition to the evening's events in the city centre there are remembrance services across Amsterdam. Each district organises their own ceremonies throughout the day and into the evening.
Check the 4 & 5 May organisation website (in Dutch) to find out what's happening in your district and where you can get involved.
Na de Dam
A growing number of theatres in Amsterdam host productions that are directly or indirectly linked to World War Two, all under the title of 'Theater na de Dam' (Theatre after the Dam, website in Dutch). Following the two minutes of silence on Dam Square, a host of theatre and music is in store at locations including Theater Bellevue, Royal Theatre Carré, DeLaMar, De Engelenbak and De Kleine Komedie. One of the key features for 2012 will be a special performance of 'Soldaat van Oranje' (Soldier of Orange) in Royal Theatre Carré.
Aside from theatre, the 'Na de Dam' programming has been expanding and now includes memorial film screenings and special concerts in locations such as EYE Film Institute Netherlands, Tuschinski, Kriterion, Concertgebouw, Beurs van Berlage and Noorderkerk.
Liberation Day
Just as a number of European nations celebrate Victory in Europe Day on 8 May, the Netherlands pulls out all the stops for Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) a few days earlier on 5 May. The day commemorates the German army's surrender in the Netherlands on 5 May 1945 and the liberation of the country, just prior to the end of World War II in Europe.
Amsterdam remains a home for freedom and independence in its many forms, and as such, alongside commemorating events of 67 years ago, Liberation Day also celebrates contemporary freedom.
Liberation Festival
The Liberation Festival (Bevrijdingsfestival) forms the celebratory entertainment backbone of the day with one of the many highlights being the music programme. International bands and DJs perform on stages erected throughout the city.
Three stages are erected in the centre of Amsterdam to welcome live acts: the main stage on Dam Square, as well as stages on Nesplein and Beursplein. Acts including Go Back To The Zoo, The Levellers, Wooden Saints, Hit Me TV, awkward i and the Amsterdam Klezmer Band have all been confirmed for 2012.
Liberation Torch Relay
On the night of 4 May, the traditional Liberation Torch Relay will see 67 Amsterdam sporters play their part in bringing the liberation torch approximately 90 kms from Wageningen in the east of the country all the way to Amsterdam.
The Liberation Flame is lit annually at midnight in Wageningen to symbolise the transition from remembrance to celebration and this year, more than 200 municipalities are entering participants into the relay. In groups of three (one runner and two support cyclists), they will bring the flame back to their respective towns.
After relay running through the night, the participants will arrive at Dam Square at 15:00 on 5 May (after having breakfast and lunch along the way). Read more information about the event (in Dutch) and if you are interested in taking part, sign up here (form in Dutch).
Classical celebration
The national Liberation Day festivities are traditionally brought to a close with the classical 5 May Concert, held on on the river Amstel between the Magere Brug and the Royal Theatre Carré. The Queen and Members of Parliament are amongst the dignitaries who attend the performance, alongside all those that have worked tirelessly to make the 4 and 5 May events a success.
The event is open to the public and sees a different orchestra take to the stage each year. In 2011, Sascha Goetzel conducted the The Gelders Orchestra for the rousing Liberation Day Concert which began at 21:00.
Amsterdam Freedom
Besides the traditional musical performances in Amsterdam, extra festivities around town include Amsterdam Vrijstraat at NDSM-Wharf (from 18:00, programmed by artist collective Museum of the Bohemian); the Vrije Westen festival in Westergasfabriek (from 13:00, featuring DJs, the Sunday Market, Nightwriters, a kids' area and Freedom Wall); and a broad programme of theatre and art in Zuidoost, taking place all around Anton de Komplein (from 10:00).
A shared dining experience
Numerous restaurants and cultural centres throughout Amsterdam will also offer a special Freedom Mealtime (Vrijheidmaaltijd), aimed at bringing Amsterdammers together for a united dining experience. Designer Maarten Baas has even designed a special 60-metre table cloth that features the names of all 780,559 citizens. More details and the locations of the Freedom Mealtimes can be found here.
Evening events
Those who are still up for more liberation fun after the sun sets can head to Winston Kingdom, Bitterzoet, Arti and the Comedy Theater in de Nes. The four locations will all be putting on special evening programmes of music, dance and performances until the early hours.
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