History
Liberation Day on May 5th is a Dutch public holiday marking the day when the Netherlands was officially liberated from Nazi Germany by the Allies, Canada, Britain, Poland, and America.
In 1945 the liberation was celebrated on the 31st of August because this was the birthday of the then reigning Queen Wilhelmina. A national day of liberty on the 5th of May was established by the Dutch government in 1946 because on that day the capitulation of the Germans became final. It is celebrated a day after the Dutch Remembrance Day.
The Festival
Liberation Day is celebrated on the 5th of May with music and festivals in 14 places in the Netherlands, which makes it the biggest simultaneous multi-venue music event in the country. The first edition was held in 1981 in Amsterdam, Haarlem, and Wageningen.
Every year a few artists selected as ambassadors of freedom. They will be going around to the festivals by helicopter to raise awareness for human rights, lack of freedom, and wars happening around the globe.
At every festival, organisations like Amnesty International, War Child, and CordAid are present as well, and there will be many debates held about freedom and the impact of war.
A new feature during this year’s festivals are the ‘Safe Spaces’ where visitors can go when they’re overstimulated, have anxiety or panic attacks, or experience any kind of unwanted behaviour at the festival. Professionals will be there to help anyone who needs it.
Line-up 2024
This year the festival in Groningen has many great headliners again, with Froukje, Dizzee Rascal, Claude, John Coffey, and Nick Mulvey among many more. There will also be talent from the North including punk band TAXITAXI, viral TikTok icon TikTok Tammo and band, and the hard house DJ Rozie.
At 15:00 there will be the lighting of the Freedom Flame, later there will be the “5 May moment” where everyone reflects on their freedom, but also lack thereof in the world.
There will also be a rubber duck raffle that will help fund the festival and keep it free of charge for everyone the year after. You can ‘sponsor’ a rubber duck that will be put into the water and if your duck is one of the first to finish, you’ll get a prize.
You can sponsor a rubber duck through the QR code on the Liberty Festival website.
Practical information
The festival is held at the horse track next to the Stadspark, which is easily accessible by bike or bus and is free for everyone. The festival site has toilets, a first aid booth, an information point and water taps where you can fill up your bottle with drinking water for free. Of course, there will also be multiple food and drink stands.
Be aware that drinks and food from outside the festival are not allowed on the grounds, as well as animals. The festival is open to all ages, but children below 12 years old need to be escorted by an adult.
More information, including the timetable, is available on the website of the Liberty Festival.
