Commemorative Events
June 2019 - July 2020
A comprehensive commemorative program across Canada will include public events, school activities and tulip projects in honour of the 75th Liberation anniversary of Europe.
Planting Thousands of Tulips
In collaboration with the BC/Yukon Branch No. 176 Royal Canadian Legion, the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vancouver, and in partnership with Veteran Affairs Canada, BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, and Faces to Canadian War Graves Groesbeek Foundation (Faces to Graves), many exciting events and programs are being organized.
With the support of the Vancouver Lower Mainland Dutch Associations including the Dutch Network (The Netherlands Association “Je Maintiendrai”), the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Netherlandic Studies (CAANS), and the Dutch Business Club (DBC), a comprehensive commemorative program is being prepared that will include a variety of public events, activities and school programs in honour of the 75th Liberation anniversary of Europe.
At this time, plans include an educational project for school children at elementary and secondary schools. A tulip project is being hosted by local bulb growers and the horticultural community for landscapers, home gardeners and businesses to plant thousands of tulips to colour the cities with beautiful flowering tulips in May 2020. For the Faces to Graves project, Canadian families are encouraged to write a story about their relative buried in a Canadian war cemetery in the Netherlands.
Remembrance Day services are being planned for Saturday May 2, 2020 and Monday May 4, 2020 in various city cemeteries and cenotaphs around the lower mainland with candlelight tributes. A musical Cinematique event with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) will be held for Saturday July 4th, 2020. There will be related activities coordinated by several other businesses as well.
Additional supporting activities in Vancouver for visitors to Vancouver during
April 2020 – July 2020
Visiting Vancouver During April 2020 to July 2020?
Educational Project
In anticipation of this celebration, together with Veterans Affairs Canada and BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, a box of tulips and teaching materials are being collated for distribution to schools. Teachers may order the educational package “Celebrating Liberation With a Promise” by visiting their website.
Supporting library resource materials are being prepared to create a liberation commemorative package of information for school libraries across all provinces of Canada. Our hope is to distribute 13,000 books to school children. The theme of the English books offers the reflection of the war days in the Netherlands.
Tulip Project and Sales / Decorate the Town
Join the excitement and help plant thousands of tulips throughout Canada. In May 2020, public spaces along highways, boulevards, streets, parks, home gardens, schools and shopping centers will be coloured red in remembrance of European liberation with the beautiful “Canadian Liberator” tulips.
To have your tulips bloom in May 2020, order your tulips now for planting in fall 2019. Please visit our online tulip shopping site for more information or pick up your tulip bulbs at a local market garden or flower nursery in your area.
Wreath Placement
Wreaths will be placed in various cities on May 2nd, 2020. Candle light vigils, with the placing of wreaths at various cemeteries and at city cenotaphs throughout Canada, will take place on Saturday May 2, 2020 at 8:45 pm. A special Remembrance Day Service “Dodenherdenking” will take place on Monday May 4, 2020 at the BC Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own) Drill Hall, 620 Beatty Street, Vancouver, British Columbia at 2:00 pm.
Prinses Christina Concert
This event will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia in April 2020.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
A musical Cinematique event with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) will be held on July 4th, 2020 at Sunset Beach, Vancouver, BC.
Koningsdag (King’s Day)
Willem-Alexander (born Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand, April 27, 1967) is the King of the Netherlands, having ascended the throne following his mother’s abdication (Queen Beatrix) on April 30, 2013.
Detailed information about the celebration of King’s Day in Vancouver will be forthcoming.
The anticipated celebration date in Vancouver will be in April 2020.
