PROGRAM BOMBARDMENT NIJMEGEN 1944
BOMBING FEB. 22, 1944 COMMEMORATED
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, 81 years later, Nijmegen is again dwelling on the bombing of Feb. 22, 1944. The program includes the official commemoration on Saturday, Feb. 22, as well as the Brandgrenswandeling on the eve of the commemoration, exhibitions and lectures. Below is an overview of the program.
OFFICIAL COMMEMORATION
The official commemoration of the Feb. 22, 1944 bombing will be on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, exactly 81 years after the event. The program is open to all.
The commemoration includes a prayer service in the Petrus Canisiuskerk / Molenstraatkerk, followed by a silent march to monument De Schommel on Marikenstraat. This monument commemorates the Nijmegen people who died in the bombing. At 13.28, the time the bombs fell, there will be two minutes of silence.
12:00 p.m.
Prayer Service Petrus Canisius Church/Molenstraatkerkk
12:45 p.m.
Silent procession from the Steven Church to monument The Swing in the Council Court.
1 p.m.
Official commemoration and wreath laying
1:28 p.m.
Two-minute silence
2 p.m.
Togetherness at City Hall
Collaboration between In Paradisum Foundation, Council of Churches and municipality of Nijmegen. With the cooperation of: Montessori College and Montessori School Nijmegen-East.
The monument The Swing was erected in memory of the nearly 800 victims of the bombing of Feb. 22, 1944. Among them 24 children and eight nuns from the kindergarten that stood on this site. The monument is located like an island amid three chestnut trees. Two of them stood on the former playground, were "witnesses" to this dramatic event.[Photo: Eveline van Elk]
FIRE BORDER WALK
Friday, 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.
Members of the Nijmegen Guild will provide short walks with explanations. In the Molenstraatskerk, film footage of the city's pain will be shown by Nijmegen Remains in Pictures.
Choirs will be present at two locations along the Brandgrens: in the Molenstraatskerk and at monument De Schommel. Each choir sings for about 15 minutes. Together they radiate connection. At the monument, near the town hall and near the victims' photo wall, from about 9 p.m., there will be a closing. There, with lights around the Swing, all victims will be remembered.
Everyone is cordially invited to participate in the Brandgrenswandeling.
FIRE BORDER WALK
Date Friday, February 21
Location downtown Nijmegen, start Molenstraatkerk
Time From 6:15 p.m.
Entrance free
