With their neighbours at Théâtre National, KVS wants to commemorate the resistance against fascism. An evening full of interventions with guests including theatre creator and writer Martha Balthazar, musician Tcha Limberger, and Doctor of Law, Holocaust survivor and jazz pianist Simon Gronowski.

Resistance starts by asking a question, as the wise poet Remco Campert remarked. Why do we know so few of the heroes who fought and died for freedom in World War II? On 8 May 1945, Nazi Germany officially surrendered. Freedom celebrations erupted across Europe. 8 May remained an official holiday for many years, until it was abolished in Belgium in the seventies.

Elsewhere in Europe, 8 May is still celebrated in remembrance of the restoration of peace, democracy and freedom, including the freedom of artists. That’s why we, as artist, now join the fray to reinstate 8 May as a day to commemorate and celebrate our fragile freedoms.

We won’t wait for the official decision on the extra holiday, but start our celebratory commemoration regardless. In our cultural institutions and associations, and in as many communities as possible. With performances, concerts, interviews, debates, documentaries, … all about then and now. Because what’s the value in remembrance if we do not dare to talk about today as well?