Our freedom is pretty self-evident these days, but it has not always been that way. The generation that actively remembers the war is slowly vanishing, leaving us only with photos, stories, and documentation. However, they do not quite convey the feeling of the time. The fear, the uncertainty, the endless tension, and the relief when it all finally ended… it’s difficult to imagine the true depths to which people experienced the war. We can only hope to never have to experience such times ourselves, and that’s why it’s so important to commemorate the dead on the 4th of May and celebrate freedom on the 5th. In the province of Limburg, both days are honored with memorials, monument visitations, ceremonies, and festivals. Should you find yourself at Parc Maasresidence Thorn during that weekend, I have a few recommendations for you:
Along with Maastricht, the area around Weert was one of the first to be liberated during the allied advance into The Netherlands. On the 22nd of September, the Suffolk Regiment reached the town of Weert, which is celebrated every year since. The Comité Bevrijdingen en Herdenkingen organizes a commemoration in the Rumoldus chapel on the 4th of May. During this ceremony, stories and poems about the Second World War are shared, followed by a moment of silence. Afterward, with musical accompaniment, wreaths are laid in honor of the fallen. At the churchyard on the Molenpoort, you can find the monument and the graves of the Halifax crew; where people still come together each year to lay poppies on their tombstones.
On the 5th of May, freedom is freely celebrated throughout Weert! The committee organizes a whole array of fun activities throughout the city, finishing off with a freedom concert in the Martinus church.
The 4th and 5th of May are perfect days for exploring the various quaint cities, towns, and villages of Limburg. Each place bore witness to the war and liberation in a different way, and these stories have been placated by various commemorative monuments. Just as in Weert, Valkenburg also has a Halifax monument in honor of the Halifax airplane that crashed in the area. The monument can be found between the Geul park and Schalone castle; a beautiful spot all in all. If you’re there, don’t forget to pay a visit to the charming city center of Valkenburg!
In Sittard and Maastricht you can find hauntingly beautiful commemorative monuments on prominent spots. On the market square of Sittard stands a remarkable statue of two citizens looking out across the cobbled clearing. They represent the citizen of Sittard between 1940 and 1945. Take a stroll through the town, gawp at the fascinating Basilica of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and contemplate in silence once you reach the monument. In Maastricht, eight bronze figures dance merrily upon a stone slab. The monument honors the liberation by the Americans, the resistance groups in Limburg, the return of Dutch POW’s, the victims of war, and last but not least, freedom. Furthermore, at a beautiful spot along the Maas, you can find the imposing columns of the Old Hickory monument; a tribute to the brave soldiers of US 30th Infantry Division that crossed the river to liberate the city.
Should you prefer going on a hiking or cycling trip on the 4th of May, it’s also possible to visit a number of monuments closer to Parc Maasresidence Thorn. In Stramproy, about a 40-minute bicycle ride from Thorn, a stone statue of a woman stands with a crown on her head, a dove in her left hand, and a scepter in her right. She stands for all the citizens who fell and for the Belgian Piron Brigade that liberated the village. The Piron Brigade also receives praise in Thorn. Near the Abbey Church in the town center, a mere 20-minute walk from the resort, lies a granite slab of rock engraved with the names of all the soldiers in the brigade who gave their lives during the liberation of Thorn and the surrounding area. Finally, in near the fortified town of Stevensweert, just 35-minutes from Parc Maasresidence Thorn by bike, lies a monument in honor of the Whitley Z6577 EY-F that crashed in the region.
On the 5th of May, the ARLO terrain in Roermond is completely geared toward a party! Dutch liberation is celebrated big time, with all kinds of activities and live performances, featuring Jannet Lyvv, Epica, and the Compact Disc Dummies. Aside from the music, you can also learn a lot about freedom. Important issues such as the war in Ukraine are brought to live with vibrant art displays and discussion groups. A conglomeration of NGO’s, including the Red Cross, Amnesty International, and Ouch Zo will further bolster the joyous occasion with special activities that celebrate liberty.
For years, the “Vrijheidsmaaltijd”, or the Freedom Meal, has been an essential part of May the 5th. The Vrijheidsmaaltijd symbolizes the freedom to come together while being allowed to enjoy each other’s company with a sated appetite. That’s why TV celebrity chef Nick Toet will be making a special “liberty soup” than will be on sale at the festival.
On the 4th and 5th of May, Parc Maasresidence Thorn is the perfect sanctuary from which to discover Limburg. Immerse yourself in the vivid history of the region and celebrate freedom on a local level! It goes without saying that you can also opt for simply staying at the resort during the warm days of May. Relax on MRT Beach or rent a sloop with which to explore the lakes. Treat your family and friends to a “Vrijheidsmaaltijd” at Humphrey’s Thorn and go on a silent, contemplative stroll across Blue Bridge, along the pristine shores of the Maasplassen. Be at liberty to do what you want to do. Feel free!
