Freedom celebrations have been held since 1990, and with the exception of two years marked by the coronavirus pandemic, direct participants in the war come from the US and Belgium every year. This year, for the first time, the veterans did not come. Many died or their health condition no longer allowed them to complete the demanding journeys and programs. Even so, according to city government estimates, tens of thousands of people visited the 34th anniversary celebrations.

Today, the program continues mainly under the direction of the organization Memory of the Nation, which organizes morning runs and afternoon concerts in the square. “Even on a cold morning, the interest in running exceeded our expectations. About 360 runners lined the route, including families of American and Belgian veterans who were in Pilsen for the Independence Celebrations. said the director of the Pilsen Region Memory of the Nation Jiří Kunc.

In addition, there is a program for families with children on the square today. The DEKApro event presents a charity project for Pilsen Saint Lazarus Hospital, where people knit blankets together. Compositions from the Liberated Theater and anti-war works by Jiří Voskovec and Jan Werich were also performed in the square, performed by Ježka’s Track Orchestra. Monika Načeva and other guests sang at the Memory of the Nation concert the following afternoon. During the day, there are fewer military camps in Pilsen than on weekends. Only the US Army 16th Armored Division Military History Club Campground in downtown Proluca remains.

Celebrations started on Friday with setting up campsites and memorial services at several monuments. The ultimate anniversary celebration at the memorial Thank you, America! takes place on Saturday. It always happened on May 6, when units of the US Army’s 16th Armored Division entered the city in 1945. The action was attended by, among others, President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil (ODS), Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová (TOP 09) and Ambassador Great America for the Czech Republic Bijan Sabet.

This year’s Freedom Celebration, which is one of the largest domestic events to celebrate the end of World War II, culminates in a spectacular parade. Thousands of people with Czech, American and Belgian flags marched in Klatovská třída, where…

A highlight of the celebration is the traditional Sunday parade of historic military equipment, the Freedom Convoy. More than 280 military vehicles, mostly American equipment from the Second World War, drove along Klatovská třída, which was packed with tens of thousands of spectators. Czech Gripen fighters, Alca fighters and CASA transport planes, American Stratotanker refueling planes and one of the world’s most modern F-22 Raptor fighters flew over the convoy. Among historical aircraft, the legendary American fighter from the Second World War Mustang was presented for the first time aboard the Pilsen, as well as the Stinson aircraft and the Stearman and Tiger Month biplanes.

Rokycan Celebration reported record attendance

Museums on the Line of Demarcation also attract visitors to a multi-hour program on weekends. A record 6,500 people came to the largest non-state military museum in the Czech Republic. Liberation celebrations take place in Rokycany after three years.

“We planned a celebration for Sunday, May 7, which is the day soldiers of the 23rd Reconnaissance Squadron of the US 16th Armored Division arrived on Stodolní Street, now Josefa Knihy Street, in 1945. In the morning, we commemorate the soldiers who died in four places in Rokycany.The main memorial service was held at the museum at 1 p.m. explained the mayor Council of Thomas (Rokycan Patriot). The main program is traditionally held at the Museum on the Demarcation Line, which was founded in 1997 and houses 200 pieces of military equipment from the First World War. The museum also makes money from film renovations and repairs. Military equipment from the museum participates in ten to 15 films a year, one of which is, for example, the Oscar-winning film Calm on the Western Front.

The several-hour program at the museum is mainly aimed at families with children, according to Vávrová, 130 people participated in its preparation. It begins with a three-plane flyover and a sample from the musical Dalibor Bárta about life on the demarcation line – The War of the Goats. The musical was presented at the world premiere by the Tylovo Theater in Pilsen. “In the afternoon block, there was a demonstration by the Police of the Czech Republic, a parade of soldiers, a dynamic demonstration of the arrest of KH Frank, which actually happened in Rokycany, a drop of paratroopers and a demonstration of combat from the demarcation line. in May 1945. The conclusion was a demonstration of track and wheel equipment in the field,” describes the founder of the museum Francis Koch. Period camps and exhibitions are part of the program. 250 children participated in a special children’s program – barricade building training.

In the past, representatives of Russia also took part in the celebrations. According to the city hall management, the city now honors the memory of the soldiers of all armies who gave their lives for democracy and freedom. Due to the current situation and the war that Russia started in Ukraine last year, the Rokycans did not send out invitations to the celebrations at the Russian embassy. The town hall didn’t even hoist the Russian flag in the city.