As the autumn sun spilled across Sir Winston Churchill Square yesterday, hundreds gathered to mark a profound moment in our shared history. The square became a living canvas of orange and red maple leaves, both underfoot and symbolically displayed on lapels and scarves.
“This connection between Edmonton and the Netherlands isn’t just historical—it’s personal,” whispered Johanna Versteeg, 93, as she adjusted her orange scarf. Her eyes, bright with memory, gazed at the commemorative display honoring the 80th anniversary of the Netherlands’ liberation by Canadian forces.
The celebration brought together veterans, Dutch-Canadian families, and community members in what felt like a reunion of old friends. Children waved small Dutch and Canadian flags while veterans, now in their late 90s, received standing ovations that seemed to last forever.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi addressed the crowd with words that captured our city’s spirit. “Edmonton’s relationship with the Netherlands represents the very best of who we are as Canadians—people who stand up for freedom and human dignity even when it requires sacrifice.”
The ceremony featured the Royal Canadian Artillery Band performing both national anthems, sending goosebumps across the square. I noticed several elderly attendees wiping away tears during the performances, their emotions connecting past and present in powerful silence.
Dutch Consul General Henk van der Zwan traveled from Vancouver specifically for the event. “The sacrifice of Canadian soldiers is something that Dutch people will never forget,” he told me after the ceremony. “When Canadian forces liberated our country in 1945, they didn’t just free our land—they restored our humanity.”
What made the day especially meaningful was the presence of three veterans who participated in the liberation campaign. Among them was 99-year-old Edmonton resident James Mackenzie, who served with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
“We were just doing what needed to be done,” Mackenzie said, his voice soft but unwavering. “The Dutch people had suffered so much. When they lined the streets to greet us, throwing flowers and offering what little food they had—well, that’s something a man doesn’t forget.”
Local historians from the Loyal Edmonton Regiment Museum created a striking visual timeline along the perimeter of the square. The exhibition traced the journey of Canadian forces through the Netherlands, showcasing artifacts, letters, and photographs that brought history vividly to life.
Museum curator Patricia Glenfield pointed out a weathered pair of wooden clogs given to a Canadian soldier by a Dutch family. “These items tell the human story behind the military campaign,” she explained. “They represent gratitude that has lasted generations.”
The celebration also featured Dutch cultural elements that have become part of Edmonton’s fabric. The Dutch Canadian Club of Edmonton served traditional treats like stroopwafels and poffertjes to attendees, while traditional folk dancers performed in authentic costumes.
For many in attendance, the connection between our nations goes beyond historical events. Edmonton is home to over 15,000 residents of Dutch heritage, according to Statistics Canada. Many arrived in the years following World War II, creating communities that have enriched our city’s cultural landscape.
Willem Dijkstra, president of the Dutch Canadian Centre, reflected on this legacy. “The liberation created a bond that led many Dutch families to choose Canada, and specifically Edmonton, as their new home. We’re not just commemorating a military victory today—we’re celebrating an 80-year friendship.”
The ceremony included the unveiling of a new commemorative plaque that will be permanently installed in Churchill Square. The bronze memorial features the emblems of both nations and bears the inscription: “In eternal friendship—from liberation to lasting bond.”
Perhaps the most touching moment came when local schoolchildren presented handmade thank-you cards to the veterans. The children had spent weeks learning about the liberation as part of an educational initiative by Edmonton Public Schools. Their genuine curiosity and grat
