Bergen op Zoom
Program 2019
Below you will find an overview of the activities that will take place on and around the Brabantse Wal in 2019. These activities have been organised to commemorate the Canadian war effort in the Netherlands during World War II and to celebrate our freedom. In 2019, it will be exactly 75 years since this region was liberated. To commemorate this milestone, there will be numerous activities, tributes and celebrations in the municipalities of Bergen op Zoom, Steenbergen and Woensdrecht this year.
If activities have been organised but don’t appear in this 2019 overview, then it is possible that these were not yet sufficiently concrete to be incorporated. It is also possible that these were/are not yet known to the Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation (Stichting Bevrijding Brabantse Wal).
In either case, please contact us at : hansstumpel@hetnet.nl
One-off
Continuous
FACES TO GRAVES
BRABANTSE WAL, BERGEN OP ZOOM, GROESBEEK AND HOLTEN
The Canadian War Graves Netherlands Foundation, a partnership between Bergen op Zoom, Groesbeek and Holten, wants all Canadian soldiers who are buried in the large cemeteries in these municipalities, and in smaller cemeteries across the country, to be kept in living memory; putting a face to the names by means of photos and life stories.
The information that has been collected will be made accessible to the public. A lot of (photographic) material has come to light in recent years. From the details provided by relatives and others, biographies of more than a thousand soldiers have already been compiled. A research team has been set up for this purpose in Bergen op Zoom. This team consists of an editor and a number of researchers and students. School pupils can also support this project as a work assignment. The research team works closely with the Canadian War Graves Netherlands Foundation. The results of the Faces to Graves project will form a prominent part of the information that can be found at the forthcoming Information Centre at the Canadian and British military cemeteries in Bergen op Zoom.
(contact:
carolineraaijmakers@hetnet.nl)
BERGEN OP ZOOM 5 MAY 2019BOOK PRESENTATION: THE NINTH SIEGE
Following the Open Jewish Houses, the book launch of Het Negende Beleg (The Ninth Siege) will take place on 5 May. Author Robert W. Catsburg will give a detailed and well-documented account of Operation Suitcase. This operation took place in the area Bergen op Zoom - Wouwse Plantage - Steenbergen and was the final stage of the major military operation, Battle of the Scheldt. The presentation takes place in Bergen op Zoom, because this city occupies a prominent place in the book. The first copy will be presented to the Mayor of Steenbergen, Ruud van den Belt, in his capacity as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation.
For more information: r.w.catsburg@gmail.com
BERGEN OP ZOOM 5 MAY 2019OPEN JEWISH HOUSES
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Open Jewish Houses is a programme of small-scale gatherings with the purpose of remembrance and commemoration. The focus is on Jewish life before, during and after the Second World War. In Open Jewish Houses, current residents offer former residents, witnesses of war and their descendants, old and new neighbours, connoisseurs and all other interested parties a space in which they can tell stories about the former Jewish residents and create new memories. In 2019, about 20 cities will participate in Open Jewish Houses. Open Jewish Houses is organised by the Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation, in cooperation with the Municipality of Bergen op Zoom and the Amsterdam Jewish Cultural Quarter, with the help of numerous volunteers and the support of funds and donors.
Hotel de Draak, Grote Markt 36, 2 lectures at 12.30 and 14.30 respectively.
Lex Lensink will talk about the special function of the Hotel de Draak during the war; it’s function as a shelter for people in hiding while simultaneously providing accommodation for German soldiers, and about the Jewish family of Alexander Bosman who lived in Bergen op Zoom from 1936 who survived the war by going into hiding. Finally, he will talk about his own Jewish family, also called Bosman, who lived in Rotterdam at the beginning of the war, were sent to the Theresienstadt concentration camp, and ended up outlasting the war in Switzerland.
Hotel De Draak, Grote Markt 13.45: 1st performance by the Mea Dulcea Choir
The Mea Dulcea Choir, founded in 1962, consists of 25 women. They mainly sing music from the 20th and 21st centuries. They will sing 3 Jewish songs by Viktor Ullmann (1898-1944) a Jewish-Czech conductor and composer who wrote music in Theresienstadt and was murdered in Auschwitz and a song by Gideon Klein (1919-1945), a composer who was held in Theresienstadt and murdered in Fürstengrube. The choir is conducted by Ted van der Heijdt.
Synagogue, Koevoetstraat, 2 lectures at 13.00 and 15.00 respectively.
14.30 2nd performance Mea Dulcea Choir
Tilly Gaillard-de Hes, granddaughter of Mozes de Hes (the last cantor of Bergen op Zoom) talks about the concealment of her aunt Betsy and Betsy's emigration to the United States.
Mannuh Barbiers, Steenbergsestraat 12, 2 lectures at 11.00 and 13.00 respectively.
Anje van Buuren-Meinardi talks about the war years and the concealment of the Walg family.
Engelsstraat 16. 2 lectures at 14.15 and 15.30 respectively.
Mike and Joost de Bruin, son and grandson of Joost de Bruin, talk about the fate of the de Bruin family.
Arnoldus Asselbergsstraat 14. 2 lectures at 14.30 and 16.00 respectively.
The Isadoor Goudstikker family (6th generation) lived at this address. Philip Soesan - a distant relative of the Goudstikkers - tells their story.
The complete programme can be found on www.openjoodsehuizen.nl
BERGEN OP ZOOM APRIL AND MAY 2019PROEFMEI (TASTING EVENT) AND LIBERATION 24-26 MAY
The first part of the Brabantse Wall Asparagus event will took place on Thursday 18 April. A number of guests from the education, government and agriculture sectors were invited to this meeting.
A farm, which also served as a hiding place, has been chosen as the location for this event. A school project, in cooperation with housing organisation Stadlander, will take place in the weeks before ProefMei again. Approximately 10 schools from the Brabantse Wal region are involved in this project, in which children prepare a ‘liberation’ lunch and invite residents from the neighbourhood to be their guests. During the lunch, war stories are told from different parts of the world. Attention is also given to new nationalities and the more recent generations.
On Friday 24 May, the ProefMei lecture tour takes place. This tour is organised around three topics: Peace, Food and Freedom. A lunch organised by SOBW (the organisation for regional Brabantse Wal produce), which precedes the lecture tour, will be dedicated to the Battle of the Scheldt. This lunch will be attended by students from the Flemish-Dutch delta.
The lecture tour, which will focus on West Brabant as an area of agricultural cultivation, will start directly after this.
More information can be found at www.proefmei.nl
BERGEN OP ZOOM, JUNE 13, 2019 RONCALLI SCHOOL COMMUNITY GIVES MUSICAL "WAR WINNER"
On Thursday, June 13, the students of the Junior Musical Class of the Roncalli school community perform a semi-professional performance of the musical War Winter. This group sang a song from War Winter during the opening of the commemoration year at the Canadian cemetery. Veterans are especially invited to the premiere of this spectacle, because thanks to them we can enjoy our freedom. The students of JMC, accompanied by a professional artistic team, have put their teeth into this musical. After the cheerful, comic musicals of Shine and Lang & Fortunately, Oorlogswinter is a performance of a completely different caliber. The story requires credible and experienced play, which is a challenge if you have not done this before and you (fortunately) have not experienced any war violence. In addition to rehearsals on performance, singing and dancing, there is also much talk about how you would act in a war and what kind of feeling it evokes. A special rehearsal process for a special musical in the context of Eren and Remembrance. Place: Aula van Roncalli Sg. Tuinderspad 6, Bergen op Zoom Date: June 13, 7.30 p.m. Premiere Musical War Winter by Junior Musical Class. Place: Aula van Roncalli Sg. Tuinderspad 6, Bergen op Zoom Date: 13 June 19.30 hrs Premiere Musical War Winter by Junior Musical Class Tickets: are free for veterans. Book by sending an email to a.krijnen@roncalli-boz.nl or pick up at reception Roncalli Sg. Please state if you are a veteran.
ANTWERP / BERGEN OP ZOOM SUMMER 2019THE DUTCH POLAR BEARS WALK AND FILM THE LIBERATION ROUTE
In the summer of 2019, a group of four students from Roosendaal will walk part of the liberation route that the Canadian liberators took through our region in 1944. This route goes from the airport at Brasschaat to the city of Bergen op Zoom.
In 2017, the group took the same initiative but then they chose the route taken by the British liberators, the 49th West Riding Infantry Division, also known as the Polar Bears. In honour of these soldiers, the students call themselves the Dutch Polar Bears. In 2017, the Dutch Polar Bears, dressed in English army clothing from the Second World War and with a large English flag, completed the route from Turnhout to Roosendaal in 5 days, on foot. Along the way, they picked up war stories from people they met on their journey and who responded enthusiastically to their initiative. They made a DVD documenting their trip and presented it to the interested parties.
They now want to make a similar documentary, but this time about the route that the Canadian liberators took to Bergen op Zoom. On their way, they will try and gather war memories in all forms (facts, emotions, anecdotes) and incorporate them into a film in the same way as before. That film will later be shown to the public.
With this initiative, The Dutch Polar Bears are trying to raise awareness of the events which took place in this region in WW2 and the sacrifices made for freedom.
They are still enthusiastically looking for financing for this project. They would therefore be happy to come into contact with people who want to sponsor them or who can otherwise help with financing.
Contact: Daan Breugelmans and Lars de Graaf.
Email: thedutchbears@gmail.com
BERGEN OP ZOOM, JUNE - NOVEMBER 2019THANK GOD I’M FREEDATES: 7 JUNE, 5 JULY, 6 SEPTEMBER, 1 NOVEMBER 2019
The Thank God It’s Friday drinks, where businesses and private individuals meet several times a year to herald the coming weekend, have become a familiar happening in the region. The Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation and the organisers of TGIF have become partners as regards the commemoration of 75 years of liberation. Under the title Thank God I’m Free, we will still be dancing the weekend in and meeting each other at special locations. This year, however, we are raising our glasses to our liberators, who fought so hard for our freedom. The TGIF drinks 2019 are being held at locations which have links to the Second World War, for example the Burgemeester Stulemeijerlaan and the Anton van Duinkerken Park.
(contact: irenevankemenade@planet.nl)
BERGEN OP ZOOM, SUMMER AND AUTUMN 2019WALKING ROUTES PASSING WAR ARTEFACTS, BRABANTSE WAL, WITH APP
Volunteer René Luijsterburg has made a walking-route app with photos, texts and dialogues for the Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation. The route starts at the Canadian cemetery and passes various places along the way where war artefacts can be seen, and then returns to the Ruytershoveweg (British) cemetery in Bergen op Zoom. There are several variations of the walk, depending on the time you want to spend on it, with the longest version being
17 km.
The route can be found in the Wandelkrant.be, a free newspaper that can be picked up in Bergen op Zoom at Leonidas, Kremerstraat 11. The app will go online in August 2019.
The walk is also offered to educational institutions and walking associations. Contact has been made with the municipalities of Steenbergen and Woensdrecht to set up similar walking routes there, too.
BERGEN OP ZOOM / ZEELAND AUTUMN 2019THE CONCERT CHOIR SINGS WITH THE ZEEUWSE CHOIRS
In the prelude to the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Scheldt in 2019, the Concert Choir from Bergen op Zoom and three Zeeland choirs join forces. The aim is to give four major concerts in the period September-November 2019: in September in Breskens around the commemoration of the bombardment; in October in Bergen op Zoom to commemorate the liberation of the municipalities of the Brabantse Wal; also in October, a concert in Goes around the commemoration of the battle for the Sloedam and the liberation of Zuid-Beveland. The series of concerts will finish in early November in Vlissingen to commemorate the landing of the Allies and the liberation of Walcheren. Choir members can participate in the three other concerts, as well as their own concert. In addition to the Concert Choir, the Zwin Choir of Sluis, the Goes Vocal Ensemble Cantare and the Vlissingen Oratory Association are also participating.
For information, see the activities on 27 October 2019 below.
NAJAAR 2019 BATTLE OF THE SCHELDT GETS NATIONAL RECOGNITION
The Rijzendeweg in the hills of Woensdrecht. No house was spared during the Battle of the Scheldt. The Battle of the Scheldt received very little recognition for many years, whereas it was one of the most important, and destructive, battles contributing to the liberation. At the beginning of September 1944, the port of Antwerp fell into the hands of the Allies, but the problem of supplying provisions for the troops was far from being solved. The entire area around the Western Scheldt, the access route to Antwerp by water, still had to be liberated from the Germans. This led to the Battle of the Scheldt, in which more than 12,000 people perished (dead, wounded and missing); entire villages and towns were wiped out and large areas remained uninhabitable for a long time. There was also heavy fighting on the Brabantse Wal and there was great devastation. For the National Committee 4 and 5 May, this was the reason to create the national commemoration of 75 years of liberation around this military operation.
On August 31, 2019, the national memorial year will get under way in Terneuzen. The waters of the Western Scheldt and the boulevard of Terneuzen form the backdrop for the event on that date. The organising committee includes the provinces of Zeeland and Noord-Brabant, the municipality of Bergen op Zoom and the Canadian Embassy. The provinces of Antwerp and East Flanders have also indicated that they would like to be involved in the commemoration.
ANTICIPATED IN MAY 2019MUSICAL COMPASITION 'MARCH FOR THE BATTLE OF THE SCHELDT'
The Battle of the Scheldt was the largest and most radical operation involving Canada in Europe during the Second World War. Canada played the lead role in this battle. After a tough and protracted battle, the port of Antwerp became available for the Allied supplies.
Over the centuries, victories have often been underlined by the composition of an appropriate piece of music. Composer Steven Dietvorst, saxophonist with the Royal Air Force orchestra, has composed two pieces of music that focus on the Battle of the Scheldt. One is a suite that can be played on stage; the other is a march. This march will be performed at the official events around the commemoration of the Battle of the Scheldt.
BERGEN OP ZOOM, FROM 27 SEPT. TO 4 OKT. 2019(WALKING ROUTE 1 APRIL - 30 OCTOBER 2019)FOBOZ PHOTO EXHIBITION: ‘FREE’
(WALKING ROUTE 1 APRIL - 30 OCTOBER 2019)
FOBOZ PHOTO EXHIBITION: ‘FREE’
A number of photo clubs have joined forces to organise a photo event with the theme: “FREE”
In addition to all the amateur photo clubs of the Brabantse Wal area, a few young professional photographers are also participating. This project kicked off on March 30, 2019.
A walking route has been organised from April 1 to 30 October, with more than 30 life-size photos centred around the theme of Liberation. It is a route that takes about 1.5 hours and can either be walked independently or accompanied by a guide from the Monument Viewing Foundation (SBM) A brochure has been published about this in both Dutch and English, and is available from 1 April 2019 at the Tourist Office.
This photographic project has been set up in close association with the West Brabant Archive, the Bergen op Zoom Culture Company and SBM.
Under the guidance of photographer Niek Franken, children from nine classes will take a photo with the theme 'FREE'. The school projects will be exhibited during the photo festival. There will also be a photo exhibition in the city centre of Bergen op Zoom from 27 September to 4 October. Some 100 amateur photographers from the region will participate in this exhibition. The real eye-catcher is work by the war photographer (who works at the Ministry of Defence) Gerben van Es from Bergen op Zoom. The public is also actively involved in the photo event by being asked to submit photos of their own.
For more information and contact:
jjaleenaars@home.nl.
BRABANTSE WAL OCTOBER 2019PARTNERSHIP ZUIDWEST-TV AND OMROEP (RADIO) BRABANT
Both Zuidwest-TV and Omroep Brabant have agreed to devote media time to the 75th commemoration of liberation in October 2019. The programmes are currently being finalised.
BRABANTSE WAL OCTOBER 2019PARTNERSHIP WITH ‘BRABANT REMEMBERS’
‘Brabant Remembers’ is a provincial project under the auspices of the Brabant Heritage Academy (Erfgoed Brabant). During the Second World War, the lives of people from home and abroad were radically changed when their life-paths crossed. Brabant Remembers wants to collect these special and inspiring stories and pass them on, in order to connect the places and the people, both then and now.
Brabant Remembers tells stories from a personal perspective. Telling stories is different from transferring factual information. You can fascinate people with stories. These are human stories that make the war heritage tangible and visible, in the past, present and future.
Brabant Remembers has searched throughout the Province of Noord-Brabant for life-changing events, major turning points or defining moments that forever changed people's lives. All stories that are retrieved are recorded in a database. A collection of 75 stories has appeared in book form and is linked to artists and to the objects and places where this history took place. On the basis of created works of art, history becomes " tangible ".
More information: www.brabantremembers.com
BERGEN OP ZOOM 17 TO 27 OCTOBER 2019“SUPERSUM” OPEN-AIR SPECTACLE BY THE VIERSCHAAR FOUNDATION
Programme
Especially for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Brabantse Wal, the Vierschaar Foundation is performing an open-air play about the Second World War in this region. It is a fictional story, set against the backdrop of the events in the city and region, in which intrigue, tension and drama - but also humour – all play a role.
Supersum: It is early October 1944, more than four months after D-day. Canadian troops and units under Canadian command are ordered to seize the Western Scheldt from the Germans. This estuary is the access road to the already liberated port of Antwerp, which is of vital importance for allied supplies.
During these weeks of heavy combat, the inhabitants of Bergen op Zoom are fighting their own battles, afraid that their beloved city will be sucked into the violence of war and possibly destroyed.
In the theatre spectacle, we follow a number of Bergen citizens in this, at times violent, battle, to the point where they can finally say that they have overcome all the setbacks, and all their enemies, themselves. The performances will take place on 17, 18, 19, 20 and 23, 24, 25, 27 October 2019. The restored Water defence fortress in Bergen op Zoom forms the unique backdrop for this spectacle that you’ll want to tell everyone about.
More information and ticket sales via www.vierschaar.nl
BERGEN OP ZOOM 25 OCTOBER 2019LIBERATION CONCERT
On Friday 25 October 2019, the Royal Netherlands Air Force orchestra will give a concert in the De Maagd city theatre (Stadsschouwburg De Maagd). During this concert, the orchestra will perform a new production. This concert is especially intended for veterans from the region, (the municipalities of Bergen op Zoom, Steenbergen, Tholen and Woensdrecht) and is organised by the Bergen op Zoom, Veterans’ Meeting Centre Foundation, in association with the Bergen op Zoom Scaldis Lions Club. If there are any seats left, tickets will be sold through the Lions Club.
More information will be available after July 2019 via: www.bergenopzoomscaldis.lions.nl
BERGEN OP ZOOM OCTOBER 2019CONSTRUCTION OF REPLICA SHERMAN TANK
The Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation (SBBW) wants to carry out a number of projects in connection with local WW2 history. One is the construction of a Sherman tank, in cooperation with the Decorbouw Groot Arsenaal Foundation. These medium-heavy tanks were used by regiments such as the Canadian South Alberta Regiment. This regiment, together with the Lincoln & Welland Regiment, played an important role in the liberation of the city and region. On October 27, 1944, the tanks of this regiment rolled up into the Grote Markt of Bergen op Zoom. The Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation wants to make use of the replica Sherman tank for the liberation activities in 2019. Purchasing a real Sherman tank is not realistic due to the logistical and operational challenges it entails. The intention is that the replica, which is indistinguishable from the real thing, will be used during the liberation parade on 26 October. The tank will also be used for the Vierschaar Foundation’s SUPERSUM show and for other staged projects and events.
In addition to the use of the replica tank for activities related to liberation and culture, efforts are also being made to involve schools. One of the objectives of the Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation is to include the Battle of the Scheldt in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools. In the coming years, schools will be focusing more on informing pupils about the WW2 history of the region, and a link will be made with the contemporary experience of the themes of peace and freedom. The replica of the tank is intended to trigger young people to take an interest in the freedom which was fought for so hard.
For the actual realisation of the tank (including the financing), contact was made with interested parties from both the Netherlands and Canada.
For more information: www.st-decorbouw.nl
BERGEN OP ZOOM 26 OCTOBER 2019HARMONY WACHTPOST 13 XXXL
Occasional orchestra Wachtpost 13 XXXL, together with more than 100 musicians from the Brabantse Wal, will be taking part in the parade that will make its way through the centre of Bergen op Zoom on 26 October 2019. Wachtpost 13 XXXL already rehearsed several times for this with their orchestra In 2018. At the start of the festivities celebrating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Brabantse Wal, Wachtpost 13 XXXL was seen and heard in the centre of Bergen op Zoom; a performance witnessed by one and all on the afternoon of Saturday, 27 October 2018.
In January, Wachtpost 13 XXXL was invited by the Noord-Brabant Commissioner to the King to play at the New Year's reception of the Province of Noord Brabant in the Provincial Government Building in Den Bosch. Wachtpost 13 XXXL will perform in several places in North Brabant in 2019. (Contact: info@bakxxx.nl)
ZEELAND, BERGEN OP ZOOM, STEENBERGEN, WOENSDRECHT 26 OCTOBER 2019LIBERATION TOUR AND PARADE
Programme
10.30: start of liberation tour at Liberation Museum Nieuwdorp
± 13.30: arrival of a convoy of vintage army vehicles in the Canadalaan in Bergen op Zoom. For more information, go to "Column of army vehicles in the Canadalaan, Bergen op Zoom"
13.00 - 14.00 Janno den Engelsman plays the carillon of the St.Gertrudis church.
14:00 Performance by Artillery Reunion Orchestra on the Gouvernementsplein in Bergen op Zoom
15.00 Freedom of the City Parade at Grote Markt in Bergen op Zoom, executed by Canadian troops
15.30 Start of the parade from Gedempte Haven in Bergen op Zoom.
The liberation tour starts at 10.30 from the Liberation Museum in Nieuwdorp. The tour goes via Zuid-Beveland to Bergen op Zoom. Along the way, convoys from Woensdrecht and Steenberg will merge with the tour. More than 80 army vehicles from the Second World War will be taking part in the tour. Once in Bergen op Zoom, a number of these vehicles will be stationed in the Canadalaan at around 13.30. This street is of historical significance for the liberation of Bergen op Zoom. A Canadian Base Camp will be set up in this street, which will give an impression of life in a Canadian army camp at the end of WW2. The vehicles will then depart from Canadalaan to the starting point of the Liberation procession.
Between 13.00 and 14.00 Janno den Engelsman will play the carillon of the Pepper Box, one of the church towers of the St.Gertrudis church. Among other compositions, he will play the Canadian national anthem, the patriotic song ‘Merck hoe Sterck’ (see how strong) and well-known songs from the war and from the liberation. His repertoire includes Happy Days, Tracey has a Canadian, We´ll meet again, Canadian songs and music by Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller.
Between 14.00 and 15.00, the Artillery Reunion Orchestra will perform on the Gouvernementsplein in Bergen op Zoom. This orchestra, which consists of former conscripts, will also join the parade later in the afternoon.
At 15.00 at Grote Markt in Bergen op Zoom a contingent of Canadian troops will execute the Freedom of the City Parade.
The parade itself sets off at 15.30 from the Gedempte Haven in Bergen op Zoom. The route is as follows: Rijkebuurtstraat, Westersingel, Steenbergsestraat and Fortuinstraat to the Grote Markt. There the parade will be taken over by the parade commander. The route continues via Zuivelstraat, Wouwsestraat and Stationsstraat and will then be disbanded at the railway station. Vehicles will then return to Groot Arsenaal on the Rijtuigweg, where there is an opportunity for the public to take a closer look.
In addition to sections of the Dutch and Canadian armed forces, veterans, (military) music groups and other groups will participate in the parade. The parade will serve to draw attention to life in peace and freedom. The total number of participants is estimated at 700. Grandstand seats are available on the Grote Markt. Tickets for this can be purchased for €10 per seat. The price for veterans is €5. Tickets are available via info@sta-boz.nl
Note: tickets for the tattoo also cost €10 per seat. The price for a combi-card for both the procession and tattoo is €17.50 (€15 for veterans).
Information about the procession: irenevankemenade@planet.nl
BERGEN OP ZOOM SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2019ARMY VEHICLE CONVOY IN THE CANADALAAN IN BERGEN OP ZOOM
In the morning of October 26, three columns of old army vehicles will depart from Zeeland and the municipalities of Steenbergen and Woensdrecht for Bergen op Zoom. Just like in 2009 and 2014, these vehicles will gather in the Canadalaan of Bergen op Zoom in the afternoon of that day.
Bergen op Zoom was liberated on October 27, 1944 by the Canadians, who entered the city via the Huijbergschebaan. We know from eye witnesses that the street was full of Canadian vehicles and soldiers. After obtaining information, the commander of the South Alberta Regiment turned to his colleague in the Lincoln & Welland Regiment and said these legendary words: "Hell Bill, let's take the damn’d place." After the liberation, the street was renamed "Canadalaan".
In the street a written sign reminds us of the capture of Bergen op Zoom and a Liberation Route Europe audio pillar tells us the story of the Liberation and the Battle of the Scheldt. The military operations in and around Bergen op Zoom were part of this battle.
On Saturday, October 26, Canadian flags will flutter throughout the street. In addition, the drivers of the convoy will be welcomed with coffee, tea and something delicious to eat. The vehicles can be viewed by all those who are interested. Later in the afternoon the vehicles will take part in the military parade in the centre of the city.
Contact: tobiasvermeulen@gmail.com
BERGEN OP ZOOM SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2019TATTOO
Programme Grote Markt
Starts at: 19.00
The Bergen op Zoom Tattoo is a musical spectacle that brings regional and national top brass bands to the historic city centre. Thanks to the efforts of initiator Frans Marcus in particular, the Bergen Tattoo has built up a rich history. As of 2015, this tattoo has been organised every two years. In 2019 the tattoo will be held on Saturday 26 October 2019, as a special tribute to 75 years of liberation. A number of (military) bands will also participate in the tattoo, including a band from Canada, who participated in the parade on the previous afternoon.
Bleachers are available on the Grote Markt. Tickets are €10 per seat. Tickets are available at info@sta-boz.nl
Note: tickets for the procession are also €10 per seat. The price for a combined ticket for the procession and tattoo is €17.50 (€15 for veterans).
BERGEN OP ZOOM SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2019 MEMORIES LIBERATION BERGEN OP ZOOM
The commemorations that take place on 27 October each year at the British war cemetery on the Ruytershoveweg, at the Arnoldus Asselbergs Plantsoen and behind the Gertrudis Church in the Thalia Garden, would coincide in 2019 with the large commemoration at the Canadian cemetery. It has therefore been decided to hold this on Saturday morning, 26 October. At 9.30 am there will be the first memorial ceremony at the British plot at the Ruytershoveweg. Then the memorial is held at the Liberation Monument on Asselbergsplantsoen and immediately afterwards there is the usual ceremony in the Thalia Garden, behind the St. Gertrudis Church.
BERGEN OP ZOOM SATURDAY 26 OKTOBER 2019EVENING LIBERATION PARTY
Programme
Starts at 21.00
The Liberation Party will take place in the evening in the Zaal den Enghel in Bergen op Zoom. The evening is entirely devoted to the Liberation. The evening’s programme and the decoration of the hall provide creative links to the days shortly after the Liberation. The evening is musically accompanied by big band Wachtpost 13 and the Valley Sound Big Band. Entrance is free.
BERGEN OP ZOOM SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER 2019CANADA IN THE NETHERLANDS MEMORIAL DAY
Starts at: 11.00 Canadian war cemetery Ruytershoveweg Bergen op Zoom
As of 2014, an extensive commemoration ceremony has taken place every year at the Canadian cemetery on the Ruytershoveweg. This ceremony is organised in close cooperation with the Canadian Government, who have designated Bergen op Zoom as the location for the commemoration of all fallen Canadian soldiers buried in the Netherlands.
Prominent guests from home and abroad are invited to this commemoration. The celebration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation, on Sunday 27 October 2019, is considered to be the highlight of the overall programme of commemoration and celebration of the liberation of the Brabantse Wal and the Battle of the Scheldt. Information about this activity will be available on this site in due course. Prior to this commemoration ceremony, there will be an ecumenical celebration at 09.00 in the Sint-Gertrudiskerk in Bergen op Zoom. (contact:
hansstumpel@hetnet.nl)
BERGEN OP ZOOM SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER 2019VESPER ‘LIBERATION SINGING’
Programme
Starts at: 16.30
On this day, a special afternoon service (vesper) will take place in the Ontmoetingskerk, Bolwerk-Zuid 134, Bergen op Zoom. This vesper has the working title ‘Liberation Singing'. Support is provided by the project choir "Rond de Brabantse Wal" led by Annemiek Vogels and a number of young soloists. The pastor is Rev. Willem Vermeulen. Because of the above-mentioned framework, young people are especially involved in this vesper. The organisation and execution are in the hands of the music project team of the Ontmoetingskerk. Contact: wielewal@tele2.nl
BERGEN OP ZOOM SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER 2019CONCERT BY THE CONCERT CHOIR
Programme
In close cooperation with Zeeland, concerts will be given in the autumn of 2019 by 4 choirs from Zeeland and Brabant. The Concert Choir from Bergen op Zoom will give a concert here from the series '75 years Battle of the Scheldt' on 27 October 2019.
They see the programme of the commemoration of '75 years Battle of the Scheldt' in Bergen op Zoom as a richly filled menu from which every participant, visitor and guest can choose his or her favourite dish. Given the success and good impression left by the memorial concerts in October 2014 and May 2015 with the performance by Annelies, and the memorial concert of 11 November 2018, they are confident that they can once again perform a moving and impressive concert for their loyal visitors, friends and numerous music lovers.
The concert will start at 15.30 or 16.00 hours.
The exact time and further details will be announced later in the media and on this website. (contact:
peter.verdult@ziggo.nl)
BERGEN OP ZOOM, STEENBERGEN, WOENSDRECHT 19 OCTOBER 2019 – 5 MAY 2020EXHIBITION BATTLE OF THE SCHELDT
EXHIBITION BATTLE OF THE SCHELDT
Opening Saturday 19 October 15.30
The Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation is organising an exhibition on the Battle of the Scheldt in association with the Markiezenhof. Several parties are contributing to this project, namely regional collectors, the Veterans & Art Foundation and the West-Brabants Archive. The exhibition can be viewed in the libraries of Bergen op Zoom, Steenbergen and Woensdrecht. (contact: irenevankemenade@planet.nl)
BERGEN OP ZOOM, 2019-2020 REALIZATION VISITORS INFORMATION CENTER
On an annual basis, the Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation is dedicated to commemorating the victims of war who fell during the Battle of the Scheldt, and the associated liberation of Southwest Brabant in the autumn of 1944. Almost 2,500 Allied soldiers, who perished during World War II, lie buried in the British and Canadian military cemeteries on the Ruytershoveweg in Bergen op Zoom. The vast majority of them died during the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944.
The number of visitors to these cemeteries has increased over the last few years, both from the Netherlands and abroad.
With an eye on the 75th anniversary in October 2019, the Board of the Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation plan to create a
Visitors’ Information Centre on the area which is still available between these two war cemeteries. The purpose of this Visitors’ Information Centre is to create a fixed, physical area which will accommodate exhibitions, materials and initiatives that have a direct link to these war cemeteries and the values for which the fallen soldiers fought. It must be a place where
stories come together and memories are kept alive; a place which informs and inspires future generations.
BERGEN OP ZOOM, 8 NOVEMBER 2019. LOCATION: MUNICIPAL THEATRE DE MAAGDMUSIC THEATRE PERFORMANCE ‘OPERATION SUCCESS’
In the evening of 8 November, the music theatre performance Operation Success will be performed in municipal theatre De Maagd. The theme of this performance is PTSS, the Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome that many veterans have to contend with after returning from peace missions in war zones. The performance is given by Erik Krikke. Krikke himself was involved in this type of mission as a surgeon. In this musical theatre performance, Erik talks openly about his experiences and his struggle against his memories and himself. In all candidness he talks about how he slowly became isolated to the point where he thought about simply giving up. The impressive stories, with room for emotions but also for humour, are framed by the most beautiful songs. World famous, but also self-composed songs, played by the band 7even Bridges, of which Erik is one of the singers.
Erik and his band have noticed, through his book and the performance, that 'their' story can help other people to cope with their own traumatic experiences. Subsequently, Erik, this time together with his band 7even Bridges, has a new mission: this story has to be told as often, and to as many people as possible....
In previous performances he has excelled at expressing the feelings of veterans.
Especially in the mood of the commemoration and celebration of 75 years of liberation, this will be a very impressive performance that will appeal to a wide audience.
MAZE OF DILEMMAS OF BRABANT REMEMBERS
In 2019/2020 it is 75 years ago that (a large part of) the province of Noord-Brabant was liberated from the hands of the German occupiers. At the end of 1944, the south of the Netherlands was liberated during Operation Market Garden
and the Battle of the Scheldt. The north remained occupied until May 1945.
This 75-year life in freedom is celebrated in Brabant with activities and programming, organized by a partnership of various parties who study the unique history of Brabant in the Second World War, including the Province of Noord-Brabant, Foundation Bevrijding Brabantse Wal (Heroes of the Scheldt), Heritage Brabant and Visit Brabant. Together they look for ways to unlock the extensive WWII heritage of the province for a larger, (inter) national tourist audience.
Starting point
By asking people to actively move around in a story and to feel the life-determining choices, we want to make visitors aware of the meaning of such choices. The story takes people from the past to the present: even now we always make life-determining choices, some of which stem from that past. This is explicitly not a moralistic approach; there is no judgment about what is or is not right.
Elaboration
The Dilemma Maze wants to let people experience what it is like to have to make such a choice. To go find your own way
through that maze, literally and figuratively. There is only a pure experience. You do so by entering a white maze without any
other information than that it’s about choices and that you have to find your way. You will be guided through the maze on the
basis of a story about experiences of WWII people who will be extended to the present, because even now we make choices
that are decisive for the rest of our lives. The story asks you to make a choice at every intersection. Then you continue your
way until the next intersection. And then to the outer door.
BERGEN OP ZOOM 24 DECEMBER 2019EVENING OF LIGHTS WAR CEMETERIES BERGEN OP ZOOM
Ruytershoveweg, Bergen op Zoom
On Christmas Eve in 2018, lights were placed on all the graves in the war cemeteries. This was such a successful initiative that it will be repeated in 2019. A short ceremony makes this a moment in which to reflect on all the suffering that was caused not only during the Second World War, but also as a result of wars and violence today. The Lights on War Graves is made possible by the Bergen op Zoom Noord and Brabantse Wal Rotary Clubs, the Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation and numerous volunteers!
Contact: carolineraaijmakers@hetnet.nl See also the facebook page
