After five years, Ursem can prepare for a new Liberation Festival on May 5. After the previous edition in 2018, the party was no longer held. The organization is ready. “It is very alive, we certainly experience that,” says Sonja Vet. “And that’s really nice to see.”
Enthusiasm bursts out when we call Sonja Vet, one of the four organizers of the Liberation Festival in Ursem. And that is not surprising, because after a long absence, the village can finally celebrate the end of the Second World War.
The last time Liberation Day was celebrated exuberantly in Ursem was in 2018. Another festival would be organized two years later, but corona threw a spanner in the works. “We have too large an organization to do this every year,” explains Sonja. “That’s why we celebrate it every five years. But because we think the period in between is too long, it was also decided to organize something after two or three years.”
Great willingness
After all the corona troubles, the four-member organizing committee can get back to work. For example, the Batterplein in Ursem is being renamed the party center of the village. Because the weather could be bad, the organization plans to set up a so-called stretch tent.
In addition to the free market, there are all kinds of activities for young and old, and there will be various performances on stage. “We are very proud that we were able to book such a great line-up with our short preparation time,” says Sonja. And there is also a surprise act on the schedule.
The proceeds of the sale on the free market go entirely to a small-scale form of housing for young people with an intellectual disability. Through the stall, partygoers can meet their new neighbors: residents and employees of Wonen Bij Anders.
The starting point of the organization is to let the festival be ‘for and by Ursem’. And it shows, because after a tour of various companies, it turned out that everyone is happy to cooperate. “It is very alive, we certainly experience that. And that is very nice to see.”
“The program was completed quickly, and many people also want to help as volunteers. There are at least 30 volunteers present on May 5,” explains Sonja. “Especially after five years of absence, Ursemmers are very willing. And it may also make a difference that people don’t have to volunteer every week or month, as sometimes happens with associations.”
Freedom fire
In addition to the Liberation Festival, the official Freedom Fire may also return to Ursem. In 2018, the fire was brought to the village by someone from Heerhugowaard, who had run to North Holland in relay form after igniting the fire in Wageningen. Sonja is also hopeful that the fire will return to Ursem this year.
“We are still working hard for that. Because the Freedom Fire is also part of the celebration in Ursem,” she explains. “The person who then went to Ursem will not come along this year. So we hope that someone else from Heerhugowaard, or Broek op Langedijk where the fire is going, will come to Ursem. But someone from the village itself is of course also very welcome to raise the official flame.”
Should the Freedom Fire come to the village, there are two ceremonies where the flame is given a prominent place. One takes place in the morning at Elf Oktoberstraat in Ursem, the other is at the festival site at Batterplein. At both moments there will be a speech by alderman Rosalie den Dolder, and also by a mystery guest.
The Liberation Festival in Ursem will be held on May 5 at Batterplein. Entrance fees ‘certainly’ do not have to be paid, because Sonja says: “Everyone just has to come.”