Remembrance Day and Liberation Day in the municipality of Heerlen – May 4 and 5

On May 4, the Remembrance Day ceremony will take place in Heerlen. On that day, we will commemorate all victims of war since the start of World War II. On May 5, we celebrate Liberation Day: the end of World War II in the Netherlands and the importance of freedom today. 

Here in Heerlen, too, we are making this happen with the help of many volunteers. The municipality is organizing a memorial service on May 4 in Heerlen-Centrum. A memorial service will also take place in Hoensbroek, organized by volunteers in collaboration with the municipality. On May 5, Freedom Dinners will be held throughout the country, including in Heerlen. 

Remembrance Day in Heerlen City Center, Monday, May 4 

Memorial Service in Heerlen 

Location: Town Hall, entrance on Raadhuisplein

Program:

  •  6:30 p.m.: Opening ceremony featuring various presentations and speeches, including one by veteran Major Linda Schrader. Music by the Royal Heerlen Men’s Choir St. Pancratius.
  • 7:30 p.m.: Silent march to the Memorial Chapel on Akerstraat.
  • 8:00 p.m.: two minutes of silence.
  • 8:02 p.m.: Ceremony featuring remarks by Mayor Roel Wever others Roel Wever wreath-laying, "The Last Post," and music by the T.O.G. Welten Band. 

Memorial Service in Hoensbroek

Location: Kleine St. Jan 

Program: 

  • 7:45 p.m.: Opening ceremony featuring a speech and music.
  • 8:00 p.m.: two minutes of silence.
  • 8:02 p.m.: Ceremony featuring wreath-laying ceremonies and a speech by Alderman Marco Peters.
  • 8:30 p.m.: Closing ceremony featuring the Dutch national anthem and the Limburg anthem.

Brundibár, a free children’s opera about courage, friendship, and remembrance – 4:00 p.m.

In *Brundibár*, we follow brother and sister Aninka and Pepíček. Their mother is ill, and they don’t have any money for milk. They try to earn some money by playing music, but the gruff organ grinder Brundibár chases them away. Only when the animals and neighborhood children join forces do they manage to drive him away. Through friendship, courage, and solidarity, they triumph over injustice.

This performance at the PLT Theater in Heerlen is suitable for audiences of all ages and is specifically timed to coincide with the May 4 commemoration. The children’s opera is a co-production of the May 4 & 5 Committee in Heerlen, Theater Aachen, and the PLT Theater. 

You do need tickets to get in, but they’re free. Visit Brundibar at for tickets and more information.

Liberation Day, May 5

There are several “Freedom Meals” in Heerlen organized by volunteers. The National Committee for May 4 and 5 supports these volunteers. The idea behind these meals is to foster a sense of community and to reflect together on May 4 and 5. 

Free meals in Heerlen neighborhoods: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

In Heerlen, you can visit five different neighborhoods where volunteers are hosting a “World Freedom Meal” between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Each neighborhood represents a different continent and offers snacks and music inspired by that region between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM:

  • MSP – ’t Leiehoes → Africa
  • GMSH – Lange Jan Park → Europe
  • Zeswegen – Sam Sam → North America
  • Moon Quarter → South America
  • Eikenderveld – Eikenderveld Elementary School → Asia

You don’t need to sign up for any of the neighborhood meals. After your meal, you’re invited to come to Pancratiusplein to wrap up the afternoon with a festive celebration. 

Freedom Meal at Pancratiusplein: 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The municipality of Heerlen is also hosting its own Freedom Meal. You are warmly invited to join us for soup, baguettes, coffee or tea, and fruit tart at Pancratiusplein from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. 

You must register in advance. Please send an email to kabinet@heerlen.nl and let us know how many people will be attending. You can register a group of up to 4 people. Don’t wait too long, because space is limited. There is room for 350 people. 

Music, recitations, and the Peace Flame

During the meal, there will be musical interludes, recitations, and interviews, featuring Floor Bosman and the Big Band Heerlen, among others. At approximately 4:15 p.m., the Peace Fire will be lit on Pancratiusplein. Runners from the AVON athletics club bring this fire from Wageningen every year. They run in a relay all night long from May 4 to May 5 to Heerlen. We’ll welcome them with a warm round of applause, of course! 

Stay informed

The program isn't quite ready yet. As May 5 approaches, you can find the latest updates and more information on this page: www.heerlen.nl/4en5mei. 

In conclusion

You can check theUitagenda Heerlen Mijn Stad ( ) for more information. It would be too much to list all the activities, events, and initiatives in our city in this post.