This is exactly what it must have been like 81 years ago, when Alkmaar and the surrounding area were really liberated. Not on May 5, but a few days later, on May 8, 1945. Then the Canadians entered the city – the name Canadaplein is still a reminder. There were additional festivities on that square on Sunday afternoon surrounding the arrival of the liberators.
“I didn’t know they had this here,” a visitor to the Alkmaar city center responded in surprise to Streeksstad Centraal. Although the trip had been announced, the message had not reached everyone.
Kilometers long procession
The column consisted of no fewer than a hundred vehicles. This meant that a kilometre-long procession of green army vehicles passed through the dunes of Egmond. When the procession reached the villages, it was cheered by the crowds along the road.
The motorcade could be followed live on the organization’s website. This way no one had to miss anything. As soon as we left, at 9 a.m. – Mother’s Day breakfast had only just finished – a number of enthusiasts gathered at De Meent, where the tour began.
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