Belgium (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Belgium celebrates the 80th anniversary of liberation from Nazi rule with events across the country. Highlights include a gala dinner in Brussels on September 4th, a party in Antwerp on September 7th, and festivities in Mons this weekend.
When the army that freed Brussels arrived, everyone was happy and cheered in the streets. It ended four years of Nazi rule. They even had the Piron Brigade with them. This happened after a tough time that started in 1940. Every year, they remember this. Now, for the 80th anniversary, there are special events all over the country. The Royal British Legion in Brussels is having a fancy dinner at the Prince Albert Club on Wednesday, September 4th. There will be live jazz by NATO’s band, dancers and singers in 1940s style, and a show of British uniforms from World War II.
What special events are planned for Belgium’s 80th liberation anniversary?
At the dinner, there will be 130 guests, including Prince Laurent of Belgium, Mayor Philippe Close, UK Ambassador Anne Sheriff, many veterans, family members and military leaders. In Antwerp, there will be a party at Grote Markt on September 7th at 6:00 PM. After that, there will be a big dance event with lots of music. People can learn swing, lindyhop and jive dances. Also, there will be make-up and hair stylists to give a 1940s look and you can take photos with a real World War II plane. The first city liberated in Belgium, there are events this weekend on August 31st and September 1st. They have a military parade, re-enactments with vintage vehicles, concerts, a treasure hunt and a Liberation ball. At the Mons Memorial Museum, there will be arts and crafts workshops. On September 7th, Tournai will have four ceremonies, a vehicle show, a liberation march and a concert. They will reenact the city’s liberation as the vehicles reach the Grand-Place.
