VE Day: Belgium commemorates 80th anniversary of end of World War II

Belgium commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in a series of events across the country on 8 May, reports Belga.

In numerous official and civic events, the nation marked the historic surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945, which paved the way for the end of the war in Europe.

A national ceremony In Brussels was held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Place du Congrès. It concluded with a symbolic flyover by an F-16 fighter jet and a historic Spitfire, the iconic fighter aircraft employed during the war by the British RAF and other Allied countries. 

Members of the Belgian resistance were honoured in a special tribute at VUB University in Etterbeek. The ceremony included the unveiling of new panels along the “Path of Resistance,” a commemorative trail dedicated to 19 national heroes.

In Antwerp, the Jewish community held its annual remembrance event, where Belgium’s prime minister Bart De Wever warned of the growing threat of antisemitism across Europe.

Photo: ©Belga/Jasper Jacobs