Halle (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Halle marked the 80th anniversary of its liberation with survivors’ stories. Alderman Mark Demesmaeker highlighted their pain and strength. A choir from Ukraine performed, and a tree was planted for Europe Day.
As reported by VRT News, On May 3, 2025, to mark 80 years since Halle was freed, the city asked survivors and their families to share their stories. Alderman Mark Demesmaeker said these stories show how long some people suffered after the official liberation.
He mentioned that the stories show how strong the people of Halle were as they lived through the war and the long wait to come home. Many survivors found their homes taken or lived in by others. By sharing these stories, the city remembers its past and makes sure people don’t forget those who suffered.
How did Halle mark 80 years of liberation and Europe day?
According to officials, a choir from Ukraine sang at the event, showing how people around the world have experienced similar pain and want peace. At the same time as the liberation anniversary, Halle celebrated Europe Day, which is when European countries started working together.
The city marked this day with a group from Werl, Germany, which is Halle’s sister city. They planted a tree at the monument for those who were deported. They mentioned that this tree represents strength, remembering the past, and the shared goal of a peaceful and united Europe.
Halle was officially liberated from German control on September 3, 1944. But for many people in Halle, true freedom didn’t arrive until much later. A lot of residents, especially those who had fought against the Germans or were political prisoners, were sent to concentration camps in Germany.
They faced terrible conditions and suffered greatly until the Allies liberated these camps. Some, like Louis Boeckmans, were sent to Sweden for medical care and returned home in July 1945, severely weakened. He weighed less than 40 kilograms.
Other survivors who were imprisoned in camps like Buchenwald and Dora-Blankenburg had to wait for the Allies to free those areas before they could finally return to Halle. So, for these people, the experience of being free took much longer than the official date of liberation.
