This snapshot was taken on: Tuesday evening, May 7, 2024
By means of: Angeliek de Jonge
Where? Hogelandsepark
Because: The liberation of the city of Utrecht – on May 7, 1945 – was celebrated with a ceremony in the evening sun. The ceremony traditionally took place at the iconic ‘Polar Bear’ at the end of Biltstraat.
Deputy Mayor of Utrecht-Oost, Eva Oosters and Katja van As, Lieutenant Commander 1 (LD) of the Royal Navy, gave a speech, as did Derek Williams, Chairman of The Royal British Legion Holland Branch. About a hundred people attended the meeting.
Seventy-nine years ago, the British 49th West-Riding Infantry Division, the so-called ‘Polar Bears’, entered the city to confirm the liberation. The British were under the command of the 146th Infantry Brigade of the Canadian Army.
The Polar Bears entered the city of Utrecht via Biltstraat. That is why the statue faces east.
The Polar Bear Monument, unveiled in 1991 by Prince Bernhard, was created by sculptor Marie-José Wessels.
Also see:
(J.T.)
