Presentation of the Liberation Route Europe project during the Dutch Royal couple state visit in Poland
On 24 June an official presentation of the Liberation Route Europe took place on Plac Inwalidów in Warsaw, at the Monument of the Polish 1st Armoured Division. The project was presented in the presence of the Dutch king Willem-Alexander and queen Maxima as well as the President of the Republic of Poland and his spouse by the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk, a Polish partner in the project and Liberation Route Europe Foundation from the Netherlands, the project’s coordinator.
Professor Paweł Machcewicz, the Museum’s director and Victoria van Krieken, the director of the Foundation emphasised the uniqueness of the place chosen for the presentation. As Ms van Krieken said: “In the Netherlands the memory about the Polish 1st Division soldiers is still very vivid and the story of its commander Gen. Maczek is one of the most crucial in the project. Therefore while presenting Liberation Route Europe in this very place we want to underline the meaning of this unique Polish-Dutch cooperation based on our history and also to encourage other partners in Poland to become engaged in our project and support us in the further development of this international trail of remembrance”.
Professor Machcewicz added that the 1st Division soldiers dreamed that after they liberate the Netherlands they would also enter Poland, and free their own country. “At that time it wasn’t possible – he said – but it was also their courage and bravery that brought freedom to Poland almost fifty years later. That is why they are so important and their courage is so symbolic in both Dutch and Polish history and for our route to liberation”.
After unveiling a symbolic map showing the cities and regions that are already the part of the Liberation Route Europe’s trail Ms van Krieken and director Machcewicz presented their guests with special remembrance medals to commemorate this event. Liberation Route Europe medals were also handed down to veterans of the 1st Armoured Division who were also present at the Plac Inwalidów.
Also taking part in the event were students from the school under the patronage of general Maczek. Museum of the Second World War presented one of its exhibits – Sherman Firefly tank – brought specially for the occasion from Gdańsk. Such vehicles were used by the 1st Armoured Division during the war.
Netherlands Embassy in Warsaw was co-organising the event.
Liberation Route Europe is co-funded by the European Union.
