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Feature: Netherlands celebrates 70th anniversary of liberation

Xinhua, May 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Netherlands celebrated its liberation from Nazi Germany 70 years ago on Tuesday with various festivals and a veterans parade in the city of Wageningen.

At midnight in Wageningen, where the German forces in the Netherlands surrendered in 1945, the liberation fire was ignited and 5,000 runners started to bring their torches to 200 municipalities in the Netherlands.

One day earlier, on May 4, the Netherlands commemorated the deaths of World War II and other conflicts, including a national commemoration on Dam Square in Amsterdam.

A lecture by the Israeli writer and philosopher David Grossman in the St. Jacob's Church in Vlissingen, in the province of Zeeland, marked the beginning of liberation day on Tuesday morning. "The Jewish people were freed from the horrors of the genocide 70 years ago, but they are still not free," he said.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte attended the lecture and he also launched the traditional liberation festivals across the country afterwards.

Some liberation festivals started later than scheduled due to the bad weather, like in Assen and Almere, or were interrupted, like in Groningen. The Netherlands suffered from severe thunderstorms and strong winds up to 90 kilometers per hour.

In Wageningen the annual liberation parade also started one hour later than scheduled due to the weather conditions. The parade was attended by 1,500 World War II veterans, including elderly Canadian liberators. During the parade dozens of soldiers and military vehicles paraded along the audience and the Dutch air force flew with historic airplanes over Wageningen.

Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper were present at the parade. General Tom Middendorp, commander of the Dutch Armed Forces, emphasized the importance of the military.

"Sometimes you have to do more than strengthen the dikes to protect the security of your country," said Middendorp. "Standing up for freedom is vital. Doing nothing is not an option, you cannot look away."

The national liberation day will be closed with a concert at the Amstel river in Amsterdam. King Willem-Alexander and representatives of the government will be attending this classical concert. Endit