Steenbergen
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 aim to commemorate Canadian efforts in the Netherlands during WWII and to celebrate our freedom. In 2019 it will be exactly 75 years since this region was liberated, so there are numerous activities, commemorations and celebrations in this year's municipalities of Bergen op Zoom, Steenbergen and Woensdrecht. If activities have been developed that cannot be found in this overview of 2019, then it is possible that these were not yet or insufficiently concrete enough to include them as such. It is also possible that these are not yet known at the Stichting Bevrijding Brabantse Wal. In both cases it is desirable that you contact us. Please mail to: hansstumpel@hetnet.nl
MUNICIPALITY OF STEENBERGEN AUTUMN 2019AWARENESS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR EVENTS AND LIBERATION
The municipality of Steenbergen has a busy programme in the autumn of 2019. Below are the various activities related to 75 years of liberation. A number of these still need to be developed further, but the overall activities within the municipality's terrain are already indicated here.
19 September 2019 - Commemoration of Gibson and Warwick
Propeller monument, Stadspark Steenbergen (morning) Cemetery Steenbergen (19.00) Wings to Victory, Gummarusschool.
On 19 September, 1944, the plane of Guy Gibson and his navigator Jim Warwick crashed near Steenbergen. Gibson was the most decorated British soldier of the Second World War. Both are buried at the cemetery in Steenbergen. In the morning, students from the municipality will lay a wreath at the monument in the Stadspark in Steenbergen for both aviators. At 19.00, a memorial ceremony will take place at the graves of Gibson and Warwick in the cemetery. Attention will also be given to all Allied aviators who crashed on territory belonging to the Municipality of Steenbergen. After the commemoration, there will be a meeting at the Wallevis Hotel in Steenbergen for those interested.
19 September 2019 - Lancaster Fly-over RAF -
Battle of Britain Memorial Filght in association with Group 617.
The last living 'Dambuster' will make a salute of honour to his former commander Gibson and his navigator Warwick through a symbolic fly-over in a Lancaster.
9 September 2019 - Unveiling plaque to the deceased aviator
16.00, Dinteloord. Foundation Study Group WW II, Dinteloord region.
Many Allied aircraft crashed on Municipality of Steenbergen terrain. Around Dinteloord alone, ten locations are known. The Study Group will unveil a plaque for all these deceased aviators.
21 September 2019 - Concert with wartime music
Gummarus Church, Steenbergen with ABS male choir and other associations from Steenbergen.
A full evening's programme with songs, music and historical wartime and liberation images. The organisation is in the hands of the ABS male choir. With the cooperation of the Andrew Darlings (songs by the Andrews Sisters), El Passionatos, (songs including concentration camp Westerbork by Johnny and Jones), the Dinteloord Rhythmic Choir, St. Caecilia Harmonie from Kruisland and storytellers from theatrical society A.M. de Jong Theatre from Nieuw-Vossemeer.
26 September 2019 - Theatre performance Secrets of War
Het Podium, Maria Regina primary school.
Secrets of War is about secrets, heroes and fears; about friendship, love and memories. The main character is the eleven-year-old Tuur, who often thinks back to the war. There are two performances for the children of classes 5 and 6 from all the primary schools in Steenberg.
28 September 2019 - Brabantse Wal Liberation March
Starts in Ossendrecht; finishes in Dinteloord. Dinteloord Suikerstad Sportief Foundation.
The Dinteloord Suikerstad Sportief Foundation has organised a long-distance walk of 44 km over the Brabantse Wal, signifying the liberation year 1944. The walk starts in Ossendrecht and passes locations that played a role in the Battle of the Scheldt. It ends in Dinteloord. Each participant will receive a special commemorative medal.
9 October 2019 - World War II School Competition
in the Steenbergen Town Hall, organised by the Work Group 'Know where you live'.
The game 'Know where you live' is made for young people in the Municipality of Steenbergen. They have to answer questions about the history, heritage and landscape of the municipality. Every year, there is fierce competition between the primary schools in the municipality for the 'Know where you live' challenge trophy. The focus of the school competition in this year of liberation is the Second World War.
12 October 2019 - Liberation concert Marinierskapel (the Military Band of the Royal Netherlands’ Navy)
‘t Cromwiel Hall, Steenbergen, organised by the Volharding Music Society.
The Marinierskapel is organising a programme dedicated to 75 years of liberation. The Marinierskapel has been invited by the Volharding Music Society on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the association. The proceeds will go to Spelenderwijs, a musical project for the primary schools in Steenbergen and Welberg.
15 October to 1 November 2019 - Photo exhibition ‘Vrij’ (‘Free’)
Steenbergen Town Hall, organised by the Brabantse Wal photo club.
Members of the Steenbergen photo club have put together an exhibition of their own work on the theme ‘Free’ (Vrij). This exhibition can be viewed during opening hours in the Town Hall in Steenbergen.
31 October-2 November 2019 - Multi-day voyage of discovery Battle of the Scheldt
Brabantse Wal, Steenbergen Veterans’ Foundation.
As part of the Uniformed Services selection course, students from 't Ravelijn School will make a trip to places that played a role in the Battle of the Scheldt. This may include overnight stays in a military camp, and will be accompanied by several " Steenbergen Veterans ". The trip will end with a gathering at the Liberation Memorial in Welberg, at the same time as the official commemoration.
October-November 2019 - Exhibition Holle Roffel,
Kruisland in De Holle Roffel Museum, Kruisland
Crafts Museum De Holle Roffel in Kruisland is organising an exhibition of historical material and objects from the Second World War in its own museum.
October-November 2019 – Shop-window Peace and Freedom Art,
in shop windows in the centre of Steenbergen and Dinteloord, organised by Kunstforum (art forum) Steenbergen.
The Kunstforum Steenbergen has invited artists from the municipality to exhibit work in shop windows in Steenbergen and Dinteloord on the theme of peace and freedom.
26 October 2019 - Tour of historic vehicles
Starting in Dinteloord and finishing in Bergen op Zoom, organised by the Zeeland Liberation Museum and the Brabantse Wal Liberation Foundation.
A procession of historical vehicles from the Second World War will drive through the Municipality of Steenbergen, passing significant sites such as the Liberation Monument and the Klaproos Viaduct in Welberg. The tour ends in Bergen op Zoom where it will merge with other parts of the tour from Woensdrecht.
2 November 2019 - Living history in the centre
Steenbergen and Welberg town centres. Organised by the 75 Years of Liberation Workgroup.
In the morning, two re-enactment groups will be active in the centre of Steenbergen and Welberg. Dressed in original uniforms, they will show different aspects of a soldier's life in the Second World War.
2 November 2019 - Commemoration Welberg
Liberation Memorial at the Canadezenweg and the Welberg centre organised by the Welberg Liberation Monument Foundation.
Starting in the afternoon, the Welberg Liberation Monument Foundation will receive a large group of representatives from various Canadian regiments who, after heavy fighting, liberated Steenbergen and Welberg. At 14.30, the official commemoration will take place at the liberation monument on the Canadezenweg. From 16.00 there will be a party in the centre of Welberg in honour of the Canadian liberators. The village council will also reveal an information plaque at the Klaproos viaduct.
2 November 2019 Meet & Greet Canadian guests
In the centre of Welberg, organised by the Welberg Liberation Monument Foundation
After the official commemoration at the liberation monument, everyone is cordially invited to join the Meet & Greet in the centre of Welberg. The Chairman of the Foundation will open the festival at 16.15 together with the guests and residents. There will be festivities at various locations in the centre of Welberg, with live music, dance, theatre, presentations, films and lectures.
November 2, 2019 - Occupation and Liberation Exhibition
At the primary school Pius X Welberg, organised by the local history circle De Steenen Kamer.
Local history circle De Steenen Kamer is organising an exhibition with historical images, sound fragments and artefacts from the Second World War.
3 November 2019 - Liberation concert with historical film Nieuw-Vossemeer
in De Vossenburcht in Nieuw-Vossemeer, organised by the local history circle Ambachtheerlijkheid.
To celebrate 75 years of liberation, local history circle Ambachtheerlijkheid is organising a liberation concert in the village hall. On this day, for the first time, the local society will also show the completely restored film with its historical images of the liberation of the village.
1 December 2019 - Advent choir Steenbergen
In the Reformed Church, Steenbergen. Organised by the Welberg Choir Group.
An Advent concert, accompanied by the musical group Divertimento, on the theme of Peace and Justice. The concert presents a musical translation of the ideas of the philosopher Emmanuel Levinas about the essence of commemoration.
4 May 2020 - Commemoration concert
Dinteloord by the Tavenu Dinteloord Vocal Society
Further information will follow
5 May 2020 - Liberation concert
by the Volharding Music Society
Further information will follow
Some activities are still under preparation. The most recent programme can always be found on www.gemeente-steenbergen.nl. The programme which we, in Steenbergen, have drawn up to commemorate and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of West-Brabant, was created through the efforts of the workgroup ‘Werkgroep 75 Jaar Bevrijding’. Representatives from almost all the communities in the municipality participate in this work group.
Contact: Secretary Olav Reijers, info@gemeente-steembergen.nl, +31 167 543434.
