The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day will be marked this year with a series of events and celebrations that will share stories of the Second World War generation.&nbsp;Victory in Europe (VE Day), which takes place on 8 May, marks the Allied victory in Europe. The news resulted in millions celebrating the end of the war, with street parties, dancing and singing across the country. The war in the Far East did not end until 15 August 1945 with VJ Day (Victory Over Japan).The commemorations will pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War, telling the stories of those who fought, the children who were evacuated, and those who stepped into the essential roles on the Home Front.The early May Bank Holiday will see the beginning of the events to mark VE and VJ Day 80 with events planned including a Military procession and flypast of current and historic military aircraft, the return of the poppies to the Tower of London and a nationwide call for families to delve into their lofts and discover their own Second World War stories:<h3 style="text-align: start">Monday 5 May:</h3><ul><li>To ensure the commemorations act as a point of remembrance of the millions who lost their lives in the conflict as well as a celebration of peace, the commemorations will begin in Whitehall. The Cenotaph, the nation’s focal point of remembrance, will be dressed in Union Flags for the duration of the four day commemorations, echoing the 1920 unveiling of the monument to the fallen. From Monday 5 May, it will provide a focal point for the commemorations and a place to pay silent tribute to all those who died, both at home and abroad, during the Second World War.</li><li>To honour and remember those who fell during the Second World War, there will be a Military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace followed by a flypast of current and historic military aircraft including the famous Red Arrows.</li><li>The VE Day 80 commemorations will continue with a street party on HMS Belfast. HMS Belfast fired some of the opening shots on D Day in 1944 and protected Arctic convoys during the Second World War and is the most significant surviving Second World War warship.</li><li>Street parties, barbecues and community get togethers, supported by ideas and inspiration from The Together Coalition and The Big Lunch, will be held by communities across the country, echoing the celebrations 80 years ago as the population welcomed the end of the war.</li></ul>

United Kingdom

Cenotaph draped in Union Flags, Westminster Abbey service, concert and Flypast among plans unveiled to mark VE Day 80

18 agosto 1944. Una ragazza di ventidue anni, si chiama Iris Versari, si toglie la vita dopo aver ucciso un Ss. Si spara per consentire ai suoi compagni partigiani di sfuggire alla milizia di fascisti e nazisti che ha scoperto, forse grazie a una spiata, il loro rifugio nelle montagne della Romagna. Il libro è il racconto della vita di una partigiana che è stata, in primo luogo, una ragazza ribelle. Ribelle al fascismo, ribelle alle convenzioni del suo tempo, allo stereotipo della donna durante il regime, ai limiti che la stessa cultura resistenziale imponeva al ruolo delle partigiane. Iris è in battaglia, allo stesso modo dei suoi compagni. Compie le azioni, armi in mano, e non esita a uccidere. È nella banda del leggendario Corbari, capo partigiano poco incline ai comandi, alla disciplina, all’ubbidienza, con il quale lei vive una intensa relazione. Sullo sfondo le storie dei compagni della banda, della famiglia di Iris distrutta dalla sua scelta, delle tensioni tra i partigiani, dell’orrore della repressione degli occupanti e dei fascisti. Nonostante il sacrificio della Versari non riusciranno a sfuggire alla morte, Corbari e gli altri, quel giorno di agosto del 1944. I loro corpi, con quello di Iris, verranno esposti, impiccati, in una piazza di Forlì. Veltroni conclude il suo racconto del triennio italiano più drammatico con la storia di una combattente per la libertà, di una donna coraggiosa e libera.

Italy

 presentazione del libro “Iris, la libertà” (Rizzoli, 2025) con l’autore Walter Veltroni.

L’exposition dévoile des archives secrètes comme des cahiers d’espions, des faux-papiers, une écharpe de camouflage, ainsi que des objets personnels et militaires, des pages manuscrites d’un ouvrage, des objets de curiosité, et même la légende (identité de couverture) donnée à Daniel Cordier par les services de renseignements. Elle montre également des œuvres que le galeriste a rassemblé avec passion, de Marcel Duchamp, Mimi Parent, Jean Dubuffet, Henri Michaux, Michel Nedjar à Brassaï.Réalisée à partir de l'exposition présentée au<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.haute-garonne.fr/service/le-musee-departemental-de-la-resistance-et-de-la-deportation"> Musée départemental de la Résistance et de la Déportation de la Haute-Garonne</a> en 2023, l'exposition au musée de la Libération de Paris présente de nombreux prêts issus des collections du <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.centrepompidou.fr/fr/">Centre Pompidou</a>, du <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr">musée de l’Ordre de la Libération</a>, du <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.chrd.lyon.fr/">Centre Historique de la Résistance et de la Déportation</a>, du Service Historique de la Défense et des <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr/">Archives nationales</a>.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe class="video" width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dPQq56lWsgM" start="0"></iframe></div>

France

Daniel Cordier (1920-2020) - L'espion amateur d'art

Half-marathon across both banks of the Meuse between the bridges at Grave and Heumen, which were of great importance during World War II. Entry fee: €15.00.

The Netherlands

Bridge2Bridgerun

Moment 1: Commemorating and celebrating the liberation of the southern Netherlands12 September marks the start of the national celebration of 80 years of freedom. On this day in 1944, the liberation of the Netherlands began in Mesch in Limburg. Zeeland, Brabant and part of Gelderland soon followed. The liberation was accompanied by fierce fighting, many casualties and a winter of famine. Eventually, the whole of the Netherlands was liberated on 5 May 1945. A few months later, on 15 August of that same year, World War II came to an end in what was then the Dutch East Indies and thus the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 2024 and 2025, we will celebrate and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and the fact that we have been living in freedom since the end of World War II.&nbsp;Moment 2: Commemorating the HolocaustDuring World War II (1940-1945), the Nazis murdered nearly 6 million Jews. They also persecuted and murdered Roma and Sinti, Jehovah’s Witnesses, people with physical or mental disabilities, homosexuals and political opponents. In January, we reflect on these victims.&nbsp;We commemorate their persecution and murder 80 years ago. We will do so on 26 January, during the National Holocaust Remembrance Day in Amsterdam, as well as on other occasions.&nbsp;Moment 3: Commemorating and celebrating the liberation of the east and north of the NetherlandsEighty years ago, in April 1945, allied soldiers advanced towards the north and east of the Netherlands to also liberate the provinces of South Holland, North Holland, Utrecht, Overijssel, Drenthe, Friesland and Groningen. While the south of the Netherlands had already been liberated, the occupied part of the country had to endure a long, hard winter of famine. Partly with the help of the resistance, mainly Canadian soldiers managed to liberate large parts of the country.&nbsp;Moment 4: National Remembrance and Liberation Celebration on 4 and 5 MayEvey year during the National Remembrance Day on 4 May, we remember the victims of World War II and of war situations and peacekeeping operations thereafter. At 8pm, there will be a 2-minute moment of silence throughout the Netherlands. On 5 May, we celebrate the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945 and the fact that we have been living in freedom ever since.&nbsp;On that day, we also reflect on the value of freedom, democracy and human rights.&nbsp;Moment 5: Commemorating and celebrating the end of World War IIOn 15 August, we remember the end of World War II for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and commemorate all the victims of the war against Japan and the Japanese occupation of the then Dutch East Indies. These wartime experiences and the large-scale displacement that followed after liberation continue to affect our society to this day.

80 years of freedom in 5 moments

In the municipality of Geldrop – Mierlo, the official ceremony is held at the British War Cemetery. In collaboration with the Municipality and the Oranje Committee Mierlo, the “De Drie Harten” foundation organizes the commemoration at the British War Cemetery on Geldropseweg. During this event, not only are those who fell during World War II remembered, but also those who continue to fight for peace today. Thanks to the contributions of the mayor, a representative of the municipal council, clergy, scouting groups, musical bands, choirs, the Guilds of Geldrop-Mierlo, and speakers, a solemn commemoration takes place every year.

Dodenherdenking (Remembrance Day)

Het museum bevond zich midden in het politieke machtscentrum van de nazi’s: alle belangrijke organisaties van het Duitse bestuur lagen letterlijk om de hoek. Directeur Wilhelm Martin had vele zorgen, waaronder de bescherming van de wereldberoemde collectie schilderijen, en hoe om te gaan met de propagandistische rol van het museum die de Duitsers voor ogen hadden.In het souterrain woonde Menno de Groot (1931) met zijn familie. Menno’s herinneringen en belevenissen tijdens de oorlog zijn voor de tentoonstelling Huis in de storm – Museum in oorlogstijd een belangrijke verhaallijn voor onze jonge museumbezoekers. Zij zien door Menno’s belevingswereld wat er zich allemaal afspeelde binnen de muren van het museum.Persoonlijke verhalenHuis in de storm – Museum in oorlogstijd neemt je aan de hand van schilderijen, objecten, foto’s, film en geluidsfragmenten terug naar het Mauritshuis in de periode 1940-45.&nbsp;Welke historische gebeurtenissen vonden in en om het museum plaats en welke impact had dit op de toenmalige bezoekers en de mensen die er werkten én woonden? Aan de hand van persoonlijke verhalen wordt aandacht besteed aan thema’s als (on)vrijheid, onderdrukking, kunstbescherming en nationaalsocialistische cultuurpolitiek.In de zomer van 1942 nam ‘de Ambtenaar van Administratie’ Mense de Groot met zijn gezin intrek in het souterrain van het Mauritshuis. Zo zorgde directeur Martin ervoor dat er altijd een betrouwbare medewerker in het museum zou wonen om toezicht te houden. Aan het eind van de oorlog bevonden zich ook onderduikers in het Mauritshuis, mannen die waren ondergedoken in verband met de&nbsp;Arbeidseinsatz. Als kind maakte Menno de Groot dit van dichtbij mee. Na de oorlog verhuisde hij samen met zijn familie naar Canada. Recentelijk zijn er filmopnamen met Menno gemaakt, waarin hij terugblikt op zijn kindertijd in het museum tijdens de oorlog. Tijdens het bezoek aan de tentoonstelling treden jonge bezoekers in de voetsporen van Menno.&nbsp;Lege lijstenHet Mauritshuis sloot zijn deuren op 25 augustus 1939 vanwege de oorlogsdreiging en heropende weer op 6 juni 1940. Alleen een klein aantal schilderijen was te zien. Directeur Martin realiseerde zich al in de jaren ’30 dat ‘zijn’ collectie in tijden van oorlog buitengewoon kwetsbaar zou zijn en deed alle denkbare moeite om die collectie veilig de oorlog door te loodsen.Het Mauritshuis beschikte over een bomvrije ‘kunstkluis’. Daar waren ’s nachts alle topstukken opgeslagen, overdag werden enkele naar boven gebracht, zoals het Meisje. Boven de ingang liet Martin een tekst aanbrengen: ’t Is droevig, dat de oorlog vergt, dat men ’s lands Kunst voor ’t oog verbergt.In de loop van de oorlog reisden de belangrijkste kunstwerken naar de verschillende ‘Rijksbergplaatsen’. Daar bleven ze tot het einde van de oorlog. In die periode boden de muren van het Mauritshuis een troosteloze aanblik: zalen met lege lijsten.

Huis in de storm

With the performance ‘We'll meet again’, singing trio The Forces Sweethearts reflects on 80 years of freedom in the Netherlands. Memories are brought to life thanks to beautiful stories and anecdotes from the time surrounding World War II. All this will be framed musically by music from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Think of the big hits by Vera Lynn, Doris Day and, of course, The Andrews Sisters. Do you remember them? ‘Bei mir bist du schon’, ‘Rum and coca cola’, ‘Those were the days’ and of course ‘We'll meet again’! Thanks to their beautiful three-part vocals, swinging dance moves and stylish outfits, The Forces Sweethearts will make this performance a feast of recognition and allow us to reflect together on this special milestone.

Theatre concert 'We'll meet again' - 80 years freedom

You will be led on an adventure through time with Blue Badge Guide, Martin Walton a specialist in military tours from Napoleonic to WW2 and German Occupation of Jersey during WW2. You will visit sites around St. Helier's Harbour with poignant reminders of events from both the Occupation and Liberation of the island and hear what really happened during those fateful days.These guided tours will take place every Saturday and Sunday from April through July. Please get in contact with Martin Walton direct to book your spot on these special themed experiences.

Jersey

St. Helier: Occupation to Liberation Tour

From October 2024 to the end of 2025, the Thornsche Molen Foundation will present a cross-border project with the theme ‘Flights Then and Now’ as part of 80 years of Freedom.The theme was chosen with the background of the evacuation of the residents of the hamlet of Thornsche Molen at the time of WW2 at the end of September 1944. They had to flee the violence of war and so did many other groups and, of course, the residents on the German side of the border. We want and need to continue to commemorate the destruction of the hamlet but now, 80 years on, we are going to celebrate freedom above all! We will do so with the cooperation and involvement of our German neighbours! It is important to emphasise the preservation of our democracy and freedom with this project. We want to make an effort to involve the current generations and especially the youth in the project! The latter group is formed by schoolchildren from primary school Op Weg in Ooij and Grundschule Christophorus in Kranenburg. We also want to pay attention to the NOW refugees who can be found in our region, such as Syrians and Ukrainians.FREEDOM cannot be taken for granted and we must continue to fight for it!

Exhibition | Flights then and now

„Eine Gelegenheit über die großen Hoffnungen der Welt nachzudenken: über Freiheit, Gleichheit, Brüderlichkeit – und Schwesterlichkeit.“ So beschreibt Esther Bejarano, Überlebende der Konzentrationslager Auschwitz und Ravensbrück, den 8. Mai und fordert, diesen Tag zu einem festen Gedenktag in Deutschland zu machen. Am 80. Jahrestag des Kriegsendes und der Befreiung von der NS-Diktatur blicken wir entlang ausgewählter Wendepunkte der deutschen Geschichte auf Ereignisse und historische Möglichkeiten, die in Zusammenhang mit diesen Menschheitshoffnungen stehen.

Germany

Der 8. Mai 1945 – Mahnung zu Frieden und Freiheit

Martin tower Liberation routesThe Martinus tower in the small town of Gennep is a permanent reminder of WW2 and lets us know that peace and freedom cannot be taken for granted. It is the only tower on the Meuse River from Mook to Roermond that survived the war. When retreating behind the Meuse, the Wehrmacht blew up the church towers on the left bank of the Meuse and placed lookouts in the towers on the right bank of the Meuse. These towers were then smashed by Allied artillery. All but one: the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower">Gennep's Martinus tower</a>.The tower was on the front line from September 1944 to February 1945. Had one been in the spire in September 1944, one would have seen thousands of paratroopers and hundreds of Gliders land over neighbouring Groesbeek as part of Operation Market Garden. On 8 February, the front moved again. More than 1,000 guns shelled the neighbouring Reichswald forest and one could have watched from the tower as a roller of steel and fire swept across the great forest. Operation Veritable, the last major battle on the western front, had begun.Today, the Martinus Tower is a visitor centre with many reminders of this time. In particular, the Martinus Tower Liberation Routes, with starting and finishing points at the Martinus Tower, show the numerous traces of the tough battle in the region. The routes include the largest and second largest war museums in the Netherlands (Overloon and Groesbeek). The British Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Kriegsgräberstätte Donsbrügen, among others, are located in and near the Reichswald. The routes pass numerous monuments and ruins and 14 audio spots/listening boulders tell the special stories at these locations.The 8 Martinustoren Liberation Routes can be found on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route">Martinustoren website</a>. On the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom">Liberation Route website</a>, one can find another special route: Gennep and the price of freedom.The routes go through 4 beautiful Natura 2000 landscapes: the St Jansberg, the Reichswald, the Maasduinen and the Maasheggen.Entry to the Martinustoren visitor centre is free.&nbsp;Gennep's Martinus tower<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower">https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower</a>Martin tower Liberation routes<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route">https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route</a>Gennep and the price of freedom<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom">https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cenotaph draped in Union Flags, Westminster Abbey service, concert and Flypast among plans unveiled to mark VE Day 80

presentazione del libro “Iris, la libertà” (Rizzoli, 2025) con l’autore Walter Veltroni.

Daniel Cordier (1920-2020) - L'espion amateur d'art

Bridge2Bridgerun

80 years of freedom in 5 moments

Dodenherdenking (Remembrance Day)

Huis in de storm

Theatre concert 'We'll meet again' - 80 years freedom

Saint Hélier: Tournée de l'Occupation à la Libération

Exhibition | Flights then and now

Der 8. Mai 1945 – Mahnung zu Frieden und Freiheit

Martin tower Liberation routes

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Cenotaph draped in Union Flags, Westminster Abbey service, concert and Flypast among plans unveiled to mark VE Day 80

presentazione del libro “Iris, la libertà” (Rizzoli, 2025) con l’autore Walter Veltroni.

Daniel Cordier (1920-2020) - L'espion amateur d'art

Bridge2Bridgerun

80 years of freedom in 5 moments

Dodenherdenking (Remembrance Day)

Huis in de storm

Theatre concert 'We'll meet again' - 80 years freedom

Saint Hélier: Tournée de l'Occupation à la Libération

Exhibition | Flights then and now

Der 8. Mai 1945 – Mahnung zu Frieden und Freiheit

Martin tower Liberation routes

Inscrivez votre événement sur Europe Remembers