Europe celebrates 75 years since Nazi defeat with subdued programme
Countries across Europe are set to observe a subdued Victory in Europe (VE) Day, marking 75 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, after a number of landmark anniversary events were cancelled due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
In Berlin, major public events had been planned at Brandenburg Gate and other historic sites in the German capital, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend.
This programme was called off in early April, with funding instead going into a digital initiative for the anniversary.
VE Day is still due to be observed by Germany’s leaders on Friday, with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Angela Merkel scheduled to lay a wreath at the Neue Wache Memorial to the victims of war and dictatorship in central Berlin, together with other top officials.
Steinmeier is also set to give a speech.
Just days before the anniversary, comments made by a leading figure in the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party caused a storm over how the historical event is remembered in the country.
AfD co-founder and honorary chairman Alexander Gauland was met with scorn after he referred to May 8, 1945, as an “absolute defeat” for the country.
Britain had also made plans for major celebrations of the 75th anniversary, including a parade near Buckingham Palace, but most events have been postponed, cancelled or reduced to online commemorations.
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Westminster Abbey is still expected to hold a virtual service of thanksgiving from midday (1100 GMT), and British television stations plan to broadcast a recorded speech by Queen Elizabeth II at 9 pm, exactly 75 years after a radio broadcast to the nation by her father, King George VI, in 1945.
France’s traditional VE Day commemorations are also to be held in a restricted format due to a coronavirus lockdown.
President Emmanuel Macron is due to preside over a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris with senior military officials, but no members of the public will be present. (dpa)
