Singer Claude, cheerful people and many performances: this was the Zeeland Liberation Festival

Jip van Rijn is a reporter at indebuurt. This time she was present at the Zeeland Liberation Festival in Vlissingen. According to her, the day was one big party where she spoke with singer Claude, among others. He was one of this year’s ambassadors of freedom. This is how Jip experienced the Liberation Festival.

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All the ingredients were present for a wonderful event in and around the center of Vlissingen. The sun shone exuberantly, artists, music, food, drinks and tens of thousands of visitors made it a successful holiday for young and old. The Bruisend Zeeland foundation organized the festival for the first time this year.

Robert Waverijn, one of the organizers: “Together with my team and more than a hundred volunteers, we tried to organize an event in a short period with something for everyone. We worked hard together. “He answers the question whether he slept well the night before with a smile: “Yes, I slept very well.”

It is clear that the festival cannot do without the many auxiliary troops to ensure that everything runs smoothly. The cheerful toilet ladies Lonny and Thérėse from Terneuzen came and went: “We provide the cleanest toilets with toilet paper. You don’t always experience that during an event,” they shout in unison.

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toilet ladies Thérèse and Lonny – Photo: Loes van Zanten

The first aid team was ready to assist. – Photo: Loes van Zanten

Festival site in the Scheldekwartier

The Machine Factory was used as an event location, there were food trucks and picnic tables where groups of friends, families and couples enjoyed a delicious meal. There was also a stage for young Zeeland talent and children’s entertainment. The main stage with artists such as Zoë Tauran, Waylon, Bente and Claude attracted a large audience. The whole thing was enthusiastically discussed by Kevin van Gorkum.

There was loud singing and dancing. Various DJs could be heard on the Liberty stage, army vehicles could be admired on the Peperdijk and there was a stage in the Bellamypark with lots of fun on and around the terraces.

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Artists celebrate freedom

Then some official moments arrive. One of them is to reflect on events from the past, but also on themes that are relevant today. The spectators were asked to pass on a cloth of freedom together under the motto pass on freedom. Young and old are enjoying together. At the very front of the stage I meet Nova Sue (10), the daughter of Vlissinger Stefan Siwabessy. He is Waylon’s bandleader.

Nova Sue eagerly awaits her father’s appearance. When she comes on stage, she almost claps her hands and sings along loudly. Waylon: “Dear people in Vlissingen, enjoy your freedom, your life and the sun.”

Zoë Tauran, the currently extremely popular singer and TikTokker, knows how to completely raise the proverbial roof. “Wow Vlissingen, she shouts, I see T-shirts with my image, thank you. Enjoy this day, the day of freedom.”

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Mother and daughter: Marcia and Nova Sue Siwabessy – Photo: Loes van Zanten

Claude closed the festival

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At the beginning of the evening, the Liberation Fire was lit by Jan Korevaar. Together with sixteen relay runners, he walked and cycled from Wageningen the night before in the pouring rain to finally arrive in Vlissingen.

Finally, hitmaker Claude, one of the Ambassadors of Freedom, comes on stage to end the evening. On May 5, he flew in a helicopter past various stages in the Netherlands. “I feel very honored, that such a day exists is very important to me. For me, freedom is being able to be who I am, being able to do what I do and not having to fear for my safety.”

“Was I afraid to get into the helicopter? It was quite exciting. During the first flight this morning I felt it in my stomach, but it gradually got better. This fourth time to Vlissingen was very quiet and I really enjoyed it, now I will quickly move on to the podium.”

Jip and her colleague Loes took many more photos during the Liberation Festival. You will see all the photos in this article.