The celebration of Liberation Day is completely digital for the second time due to the corona measures. No Liberation festivals in fourteen locations in the country, but a joint online program that can be followed by everyone via a free live stream.
At around noon, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will give the 5th May lecture. She does this via a live connection from Berlin. Merkel was actually supposed to do this last year, but that was canceled due to the corona virus. The NOS will broadcast the lecture from the Kunstmuseum in The Hague, where Prime Minister Mark Rutte is present and discusses freedom with the Chancellor. The 5th May Children's Lecture is given by Mily Al-Azzazi.
Rutte then ignited the Liberation Fire. This is the official start for the (online) activities on Liberation Tuesday. More than two hundred performances can be viewed via a live stream, by Typhoon, Suzan & Freek, Ellen ten Damme, The Strikes, Froukje and Milow, among others. The Ambassadors of Freedom, Davina Michelle, Tino Martin and Jonna Fraser also give a show. In addition to music, there is also dance and theater and Freedom Lectures are given by Haroon Ali, Soundos el Ahmadi and Joris Linssen.
Normally on May 5, the Ambassadors of Freedom fly by helicopter to various festivals in the country, but that is not an option this year. From a location, Gilze-Rijen Air Base, the artists perform and connect the various festivals.
As an alternative to the Freedom Meals, which are normally found all over the country, this time there is the Freedom Meal Soup. Cook and writer Yvette van Boven made the recipe. The idea is to make the soup, share it with your neighbors and friends and start a conversation about freedom together.
Traditionally, Liberation Day is festively concluded with the 5th May concert. This year it will not be outside on the Amstel, but in the Royal Theater Carré in Amsterdam. André van Duin, Claudia de Breij, Maan and Stef Bos, among others, are participating in this. The concert can be seen directly on NPO 1.
Also read: This year, from home, commemorate and celebrate May 4 and 5
