The Netherlands Embassy, together with the National Park Service, will celebrate the Netherlands’ Liberation Day and the completion of the rehabilitation of the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington Ridge Park, Va., on May 5. The inaugural “Freedom Concert” will feature carillon performances, a freedom speech, a rededication ceremony of the renovated and upgraded Netherlands Carillon, and much more. The event is free and open to the public.
The Netherlands Carillon
The people of the Netherlands gave the carillon to the people of the United States in 1952 to thank America for liberating the Netherlands during World War II and helping rebuild the Dutch economy through the Marshall Plan. The 127-foot-tall musical instrument was installed at its current location in Arlington, Va., in 1960, overlooking Washington, D.C. In the past 2.5 years, the open-steel bell tower was renovated and three bells were added, making it a 53-bell “grand carillon.”
Liberation Day & Freedom Concert
Each year on May 5, the Netherlands celebrates Liberation Day, or the restoration of its freedom in 1945. It is therefore on this day that the embassy will present an annual “Freedom Concert.” We will celebrate our freedom and friendship with a selection of classic and modern arrangements played by American and Dutch carillonneurs at the Netherlands Carillon, and we will reflect on freedom by means of a “freedom speech” by American and Dutch speakers.