Bombing Feb. 22, 1944 grandly commemorated

Lights mark the route of the Brandgrens walk. [Photo: Erik van 't Hullenaar]

Two minutes, no longer lasted on Tuesday afternoon, February 22, 1944, the American bombardment of Nijmegen. The consequences were disastrous. Nearly 800 people were killed, thousands were wounded. Much of Nijmegen's city center was destroyed. The impact of this tragedy is still visible and palpable today.

This month, 80 years later, Nijmegen extensively commemorates the bombing of Feb. 22, 1944. Besides the official commemoration on Thursday, Feb. 22, the program includes the Brandgrenswandeling, an exhibition, theater performances and lectures. The most eye-catching part is the "Light Memories," light projections on four buildings in the city center.

Official commemoration

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 is the official commemoration of the bombing. It will begin at 11:45 a.m. with a service in the Stevenskerk, followed by a silent march to the monument De Schommel on Marikenstraat. This monument commemorates the Nijmegen people who died in the bombing. The commemoration begins at 13.00. At 13.28, the time the bombs fell, there will be two minutes of silence. Thursday afternoon, Feb. 22 in the Vereeniging at 3 p.m. a preview of the EO documentary "The Afternoon of '44. That will be broadcast in the evening at 10:18 p.m. on NPO2.

Brandgrens hike

Wednesday, Feb. 21, on the eve of the official commemoration, everyone is urged to participate in the Brandgrens walk and reflect on the dreams the victims had before they were snatched from life. The walk leads along the fire line around the area affected by the bombing, marked with nearly 800 markings in the road surface, one for each victim. Along the route - also marked with lights this evening - Nijmegen choirs sing. The walkers are preceded by athletes carrying torches.

'Light Memories'

Wednesday evening, Feb. 21, "Light Memories" will be on display at four locations downtown. These are moving light projections that recall the bombing. For example, the projection on the Stevenstoren depicts how it was hit by one bomb at the time and collapsed. The 'Light Memories' are projected on the west side of the Stevenstoren, the front facade of the Molenstraat church, the side facade of the Hema and the walls of the Emaushof near De Schommel. The "light memories" can be seen through Sunday, Feb. 25, between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. each time.

Light reminder: the Stevenstoren is hit by a bomb and collapses (left). Projection on the former V&D building (right) Impression by Jaap van den Elzen. Actual execution may differ from this.

Exposition

Throughout the month of February, the House of Nijmegen History is hosting an exhibition dedicated to the bombing of February 22, 1944: "Two Minutes, 22-2-1944. The exhibition tells the story of Nijmegen before, during and after the bombing and the impact of the tragedy on the city and its inhabitants. What did the center of Nijmegen look like before that fateful day? Which streets and buildings were destroyed? What dreams were lost forever with the victims? At Plein 1944, five trotters - large information kiosks - will address the same themes in February. Lindenberg Cultuurhuis, the Nijmegen Guild, the Regionaal Archief Nijmegen, the Infocentrum WO2, and Radboud University are contributing to the program with performances, tours, mini-exhibitions and lectures. It is directed by the Urban Committee 4 and 5 May Nijmegen.