VE DAY, Dutch-Canadian Connections and the Liberation of Holland

Today marked the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Holland at the end of World War II. 

Canadian soldiers played an important role in that liberation and are honoured by the people of Holland every year. 

Here is just an excerpt from an article published on the CBC website this morning entitled, VE Day: Why Dutch-Canadian Connections Have Stayed So Strong

"If the Canadian soldiers hadn't come, I don't even think my mom and dad would have survived the war, and I wouldn't even be here," says Bijdemast, who immigrated to Canada with her family as a five-year-old in 1956.

Bijdemast's emotional connection to her birth place is a very personal example of the ties that have grown between Canada and the Netherlands, and which will be at the forefront once again as ceremonies here and on the other side of the Atlantic this week mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe."I wouldn't exist, so I feel a very deep emotional connection with that, the fact that a foreign country would come in and assist. I find that very deeply moving personally."

You can read the rest of the article using the link below:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ve-day-why-dutch-canadian-connections-have-stayed-so-strong-1.3057318

Check out our book display to find out more about this important anniversary and the VE or Victory Europe celebrations taking part in other countries in Europe this week. Many countries will be observing special victory ceremonies on May 7 and 8.