This is the first transnational trail dedicated to highlighting Canada’s often-overlooked role in the liberation of Northwest Europe. The project connects over 200 sites and stories, including historic sites, museums, monuments, and personal biographies, many of which remain underrepresented in mainstream WWII narratives.
“This trail is more than a commemoration, it’s a living, walkable history lesson,” said Emme Johnson, Project Manager at the LRE Foundation. “It allows people to engage with the past in a meaningful, physical way and reflects our commitment to inclusive remembrance.”
By retracing the journey of Canadian forces, the initiative supports sustainable tourism, cross-border cooperation, and transnational storytelling. A multi-perspective approach ensures that local, Canadian, and European voices are all represented, highlighting both military operations and civilian experiences. This inclusive narrative invites deeper reflection on the shared legacy of liberation and the many ways it shaped communities across Northwest Europe.
In addition to the key partners, the trail has been made possible thanks to the support of the following partners: Juno Beach Centre Association, FFRandonnée, the European Ramblers Association, and Stichting Wandelnet. It is co-funded by Interreg North-West Europe (NWE).
All route information and related stories are freely accessible via the Liberation Route Europe websiteand app, which offer interactive maps, historical insights, and practical tools to help hikers plan their journey and connect with the shared history of Europe’s liberation.
The LRE Foundation is pleased to welcome the municipality of Miehikkälä and its Salpa Line Museumas members of its growing international network. Located in south-eastern Finland, the museum plays a crucial role in preserving and presenting the story of Salpalinja – one of Europe’s most impressive defensive structures built during World War II.
Established in 1987, the Salpa Line Museum explores the history of the 1,200-kilometre-long Salpalinja (or Salpa Line), a land-defence line constructed after the Winter War to protect Finland’s eastern border. Covering several hectares of rugged, rocky terrain, the Salpa Line was originally constructed as the defence centre for an augmented company. Today, the open-air museum site showcases this legacy through a combination of bunkers, trenches and natural landscapes, offering visitors a powerful glimpse into Finland’s wartime past.
Rémi Praud, Managing Director of the LRE Foundation, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Miehikkälä and the Salpa Line Museum. Their commitment to preserving Salpalinja brings a remarkable Finnish perspective to our network and enriches the shared narrative of Europe’s wartime heritage.”
Katri Kotasaari from the Miehikkälä echoed this sentiment, highlighting the museum’s growing international focus: “The Miehikkälä Salpalinja Museum joining LREF is an important step in developing the museum’s and Salpalinja’s domestic and international cooperation and networking. We only joined this year, but belonging to the foundation has already shown to be effective.”
Connecting with institutions across Europe—particularly in regions whose histories remain underrepresented in mainstream WWII narratives—is central to the LRE Foundation’s mission. The addition of the Salpa Line Museum not only expands the Foundation’s geographic reach but also deepens its ability to tell a more inclusive and diverse story of Europe’s wartime past.
The LRE Foundation looks forward to supporting the municipality’s future initiatives and promoting the Salpa Line Museum across its international community.
On 13 June 2025, the LRE Foundation hosted a one-day event in Berlin to kick-off the Preserving the Past, Securing the Future project. The project is led by the LRE Foundation, with partners Mascontour, Fondazione Campus, and the Juno Beach Centre, and co-funded by the European Union. The programme brought together professionals working in heritage tourism, education, and museum management to share strategies on sustainability and the long-term relevance of memory sites.
The day began with registration and coffee, including an informal icebreaker to help participants connect. Annabelle Türkis moderated the event and introduced the day’s goals and structure.
Luigi Cabrini, Chair of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council(GSTC), delivered the keynote speech, highlighting key sustainability challenges and opportunities for tourism destinations.
This was followed by a panel discussion titled Shaping Sustainable Destinations: Strategies for Managing & Marketing with Purpose. Speakers included:
· Franziska Lienert, Project Lead Sustainable Berlin (visitBerlin)
The panel addressed how destination managers and institutions can apply sustainability standards in practice, focusing on positive environmental and societal impact, visitor management, and strong partnerships.
After a coffee break, the focus shifted to case studies. Nathalie Worthington (Juno Beach Centre, France) presented the ambitious and inspiring strategy that the Juno Beach Centre has implemented in the last years to reduce its carbon footprint. In a second case study, Beatrice Verri from the Nuto Revelli Foundation presented the development of Paraloup, a small site in Italy connected to partisan history, into an active cultural and educational space.
A second panel followed the lunch break, exploring the role of interpretation, education, and emotional engagement in encouraging more responsible tourism practices:
· Simon Reuter, Senior Research Partnership Manager, Outdooractive
To close the formal programme, Emme Johnson (LRE Foundation) introduced upcoming training opportunities within the Preserving the Past, Securing the Future project, aimed at professionals working in Second World War remembrance, heritage and tourism.
The event concluded with a walking tour of the Berlin Wall, organised by On the Front Tours, offering participants an opportunity to explore Berlin’s layered history firsthand.
This event is part of a broader European initiative to support the sustainable development of memory sites, combining heritage preservation with practical skills and professional exchange. Find out more about the project here: A Sustainable Approach to Cultural and Remembrance Heritage
Last month, Managing Director Rémi Praud and Project Manager Emme Johnson from the LRE Foundation visited Finland for a multi-day programme organised by local members. The trip was part of the Foundation’s ongoing effort to expand its network in Northern Europe and highlight lesser-known but important aspects of Europe’s Second World War history.
The visit focused on key museums and historical sites across eastern and southern Finland, offering both valuable insights into the country’s wartime past and opportunities for future collaboration.
“It left a strong impression, both for the richness of its WWII history and its cultural sites with strong educational potential” said Emme Johnson, Project Manager. “It’s not a country that immediately comes to mind in the WWII landscape, but that’s exactly what makes it so interesting.”
Highlights from the Visit
Mikkeli, the starting point of the tour, was the location of Marshal Mannerheim’s wartime headquarters. The visit included:
A visit to Mannerheim’s saloon car, used during the war and the site of a 1942 meeting with Adolf Hitler, for which the only known recording of Hitler’s conversational voice exists.
A guided tour of the Infantry Museum, with particular attention to its Winter War exhibition.
Later, the group travelled east to Ilomantsi, near the Russian border, to explore the Battlegrounds Trail. The area marks the site of Finland’s last major land victory in 1944 and features preserved trench systems and outdoor interpretation.
The tour also included visits to the Salpa Line Museum and the Bunker Museum, which preserve key sections of Finland’s WWII fortifications built to resist Soviet advances. These are located in Miehikkälä municipality which became a member of the LREF at the start of 2025.
The programme concluded at the Lotta Museum, dedicated to the wartime work of the Lotta Svärd organisation, Finland’s women’s auxiliary corps. Discussions with the museum’s staff explored possibilities for future cooperation within the LREF network.
Strengthening the Network
The visit was part of the LRE Foundation’s broader effort to connect with heritage institutions across Europe, especially in regions whose histories are underrepresented in the mainstream WWII narrative.
“Finland’s experience during the war was unique and deserves greater attention within our network,” said the Managing Director. “We’re grateful to our Finnish members and partners for their openness and hospitality, and we look forward to deepening our cooperation in the future.”
The LRE Foundation will continue working with local institutions to explore joint initiatives, educational opportunities, and ways to integrate Finnish history more prominently into the wider European remembrance landscape.
In the last weeks, several Vectors of Memorywere unveiled in the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France as part of the Liberation Route Europe hiking trails project. Designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, these symbolic markers commemorate people, places and stories from the Second World War that shaped Europe’s path to liberation.
Voorst, Netherlands
On April 3, the Crossroad Vector Operation Cannonshot was unveiled in Voorst, marking the completion of the LRE Canadian Trail Veluwe.
The vector commemorates a pivotal moment in April 1945, when Allies launched Operation Cannonshot, an essential step in the final phase of the Netherlands’ liberation. On April 11, 1945, Canadian forces crossed the IJssel at Gorssel and Wilp. While the initial crossing was surprisingly smooth—achieved in just seven minutes without enemy fire—fierce fighting soon followed near Voorst and Klarenbeek. The construction of the so-called Poco-Poco Bridge became a turning point in the campaign, enabling the push toward Apeldoorn and contributing decisively to the broader liberation effort.
Zoutkamp, Netherlands
A Wall Vector was unveiled on April 6 at the Fisheries Museum in Zoutkamp, officially adding the harbour town to the Liberation Route Network. Unveiled by Aukje Sterkenbrug, the vector commemorates Zoutkamp’s role in the closing weeks of the war.
On the night of 14-15 April 1945, a group of SD and SS members fled from Groningen to Zoutkamp, hoping to escape to Germany through Schiermonnikoog. Despite mechanical failures and local resistance, they eventually got to the island, where they remained in hiding until the end of May. Reflecting on those days as a child, Aukje shared a moving memory during the ceremony: “Nowadays, we take freedom for granted, but back then it was a precious and uncertain thing.”
LREF Program Manager Joël Stoppels emphasized the importance of sharing such stories, especially “in these uncertain times”.
Kornwerderzand, Netherlands
A new Crossroad Vector was unveiled on 18 April at the Kazemattenmuseum on the Afsluitdijk, marking 80 years since Canadian forces broke through German defences at this strategic location.
As one of the last open routes into North Holland, the Afsluitdijk had been heavily fortified with bunkers and anti-aircraft guns. With support from local resistance, the Canadians launched a precise artillery and air assault on 18 April 1945, defeating the German troops swiftly and without suffering losses. The victory paved the way for the liberation of Friesland and the northern Netherlands. The new vector now marks the very spot where these events unfolded.
Eemsdelta, Netherlands
On 2 May, another Crossroad Vector was unveiled in the municipality of Eemsdelta to commemorate the final battle on Dutch soil. In the spring of 1945, In the spring of 1945, Canadian troops fought fiercely to liberate the port city of Delfzijl, still under heavy German control. Among the guests was 100-year-old veteran Jim Parks, who was injured during the battle and returned to Delfzijl to take part in the ceremony.
Schumannseck, Luxembourg
At Schumannseck, in the Parc Naturel de la Haute-Sûre, a National Memorial Site was unveiled on May 16th. Schumannseck was the scene of fierce fighting during the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944-1945. The vector commemorates the thousands who lost their lives there.
The unveiling brought together local, national and European representatives, featuring several speeches and a powerful contribution by students from the Lycée du Nord.
Calais, France
The first Vector of Memory in the Hauts-de-France region was unveiled on 21 May, in front of the Musée Mémoire 39–45 in Calais. This new addition marks an important milestone in preserving and sharing local wartime history, expanding the Liberation Route Europe across this region in France.
Arromanches-les-Bains, France
Looking ahead, a Wall Vector will be inaugurated on June 7, 2025, in Arromanches-les-Bains, on the 11th anniversary of the Liberation Route Europe. This will be the first Wall Vector in France, placed symbolically in the town where the project was launched in June 2014. The unveiling will celebrate the strong historical and emotional connection between LRE and Arromanches.
Each of these new Vectors strengthens the Liberation Route Europe’s mission to connect historic sites and local communities across the continent. As the network continues to grow, these markers not only honour the memory of the past but also invite future generations to reflect on the values of freedom, resilience, and peace.
On May 5th, the latest addition to the Liberation Route Brabant network was launched: the Timberwolves Cycling Route. This 91-kilometre route leads cyclists through historical locations across West Brabant that played a key role during the region’s liberation in the Second World War.
Developed as part of Brabant Herinnert‘s ongoing effortsto bring wartime stories to life and to pass on the memory of the Second World War to future generations, the route was made possible thanks to the support of Brabant Partners and the collaboration with the municipalities of Etten-Leur, Halderberge, Moerdijk, Rucphen, and Zundert.
The cycling route is named after the 104th Infantry Division of the United States Army, nicknamed the Timberwolves. The division played a crucial role in liberating West Brabant from German occupation. Operating with professionalism under Canadian command, the Timberwolves’ involvement was a rare example of international cooperation in military history.
Between October and November 1944, the Timberwolves faced fierce combat in towns such as Zundert, Wernhout, Achtmaal, and Standdaarbuiten. Around 170 young American soldiers lost their lives in the effort to free the region. The Timberwolves Cycling Route pays tribute to their legacy and to the exceptional acts of bravery displayed by many. The words of their commander, General Terry Allen, still echo today: “Nothing in hell can stop the Timberwolves.”
The cycling route is the tenth route in the Liberation Route Brabant network. “With the launch of the Timberwolves Cycling Route, the liberation story of West Brabant gains more depth and coherence,” says Caroline Belt, programme director of Brabant Herinnert. “The cooperation of different nationalities under one flag, the perseverance of the often young soldiers – these are inspiring stories that, through this route, are given a strong place in the landscape and in the broader narrative of Brabant’s liberation.”
The Timberwolves Cycling Route is divided in two loops: North (44 km) and South (52 km) and is integrated into the North Brabant cycling junction network. The route is suitable for both recreational and history-minded cyclists, combining beautiful landscapes with stories of heroism, hardship and liberation.
On May 5, Liberation Day in the Netherlands, new bicycle routes will be launched in the municipalities of Heusden, Waalwijk, Meierijstad, Boxtel and Sint Michielsgestel: The Scottish Highlanders Cycling Routes, part of the international Liberation Route Europe route network.
Developed in cooperation with the municipalities of Heusden, Waalwijk, Meierijstad, Boxtel and Sint Michielsgestel and military historian Jack Didden, the project aims to educate the public about local history. The initiative includes bicycle routes of 38, 35 and 42 kilometersthat follow the trail of the Scottish Highland Division soldiers who liberated the municipalities during World War II.
A total of 35 points of interest are on the route that tell different stories and shed light on the role the Scottish Highlanders played during the liberation. Cyclists will pass historical sites along the way and learn more about the lesser-known stories from the last phase of the war, from both military and civilian perspectives.
“Vectors of Memory”have been placed along the route to mark the specific places where history took place. For more information on local history, cyclists can use the Liberation Route app, which highlights all the landmarks and their accompanying stories.
“These bicycle routes offer a unique opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about the Scottish Highlanders and their role during the liberation of the Netherlands. While cycling you will gain insight into local history and learn that the Highlanders played a crucial role in the victory of the Allies, something important to never forget,” said Wout van Aalst, Project Officer at LRE Foundation.
To mark the launch, special events will take place across the region on May 5th. In Heusden, a ceremony will be held at the Pijlsmonument in Drunen with remarks by Mayor Willemijn van Hees and historian Jack Didden, followed by a group bike ride to Griesbergen. In Meierijstad, 20 cyclists will ride from Wijbosch to Liempde, where a reception with local officials will take place. The event will culminate with the unveiling of the Wall Vector at the Liberation Monument “Wijbosch Herineert” and a Freedom Lunch. In the afternoon, Mayor Sacha Ausems and Jack Didden will launch the route in Waalwijk at the Kropholler Raadhuis.
The LRE Foundation is pleased to announce that Dr. Chantal Kesteloot has joined its Historical Advisory Board. With an impressive career dedicated to contemporary history, public memory, and the dissemination of historical knowledge, her expertise will significantly contribute to the Foundation’s mission of preserving and promoting the legacy of the Second World War across Europe.
Chantal Kesteloot earned her PhD in Contemporary History from the Université libre de Bruxelles in 2001. She has been a part of the CegeSoma/State Archives team since 1992, where she currently heads the Public History Unit. Her work has focused on the history of Brussels, Belgian national memory, and commemorative practices. A recognized expert on odonymy and the legacy of colonialism in public spaces, she is engaged in exploring how history is remembered and interpreted in the public arena.
Among her notable contributions is the coordination of Belgium WWII, a digital platform that brings scholarly research on Belgium during the Second World War to a broader public. This initiative exemplifies her commitment to making complex historical topics accessible and relevant to today’s society.
Upon joining the LREF Historical Advisory Board, Chantal Kesteloot shared: “As a member of the historical advisory board, I hope to be able to contribute to a better understanding of the history of the Second World War, and to help pass on its legacy in an international context where fake news – including about this period – is unfortunately playing an increasingly important role.”
The LRE Foundation’s Historical Advisory Boardplays a vital role in advising on the historical scope of its projects and overseeing the development of content and research. Chantal Kesteloot’s background and perspective will provide essential guidance as the Foundation continues to develop initiatives that connect people and places through Europe’s shared wartime history.
The LRE Foundation looks forward to working with her in strengthening the historical integrity and educational impact of its work.
As Europe approaches the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Europe Remembers —a project by the LRE Foundation—is calling on people across the continent and beyond to share personal and local stories connected to the war’s conclusion.
The social media campaign, launched this week under the hashtag #IRemember, invites individuals to reflect on what the end of the war meant in their communities, through a wide lens that goes beyond official dates and headlines. The campaign recognises that Victory in Europe (VE) Day—celebrated on May 8, 1945—was not the same for everyone. For some, fighting continued. For others, the return to peace came slowly and quietly, through the sound of silence after air raids, the reopening of a family shop, or the return of a loved one.
A Call for Stories: How Did Peace Arrive for You?
This new digital storytelling campaign encourages participants to explore and share how their family, neighborhood, or town experienced the end of the war, and when it truly felt like peace had arrived. Whether it’s a story passed down through generations, a discovery in a local archive, or a memory tied to a monument or street in your hometown, Europe Remembers wants to hear it.
Participants are invited to submit short vertical videos (up to 1 minute 30 seconds), or written stories if they prefer, by May 5, 2025. There is room for creativity in format and language: stories can be personal reflections, interviews, or even creative narratives, and may be shared in any native language.
Why This Matters
By gathering diverse stories from across Europe and the world, the #IRemember campaign aims to spotlight overlooked perspectives and personal moments that help us better understand the human side of war’s end. These contributions will be featured on Europe Remembers’ official Instagram, Facebook, and website, creating a shared digital space for remembrance and reflection.
Whether you’re sharing a memory from your grandmother, a forgotten piece of local history, or your own thoughts on what peace means today, your voice can help build a more inclusive and diverse narrative of the war’s end.
Join the conversation. Share your story. #IRemember
