Liberation Route Europe, one of the LRE Foundation’s key projects is among the leading cultural itineraries in Europe. Launched in 2014 the project has just turned 10. On the 7th of June, the LRE Foundation team travelled to Arromanches-les-Bains to celebrate this milestone with the network and partners.
The anniversary event commenced with a Liberation Walk on Friday, June 7th, where participants gathered at the Esplanade in front of the D-Day Museum and started a guided historic walking tour through Arromanches.
Following the walk, the “10 Years of Liberation Route Europe” ceremony unfolded at the Remembrance Garden. Opening remarks were delivered by Rémi Praud, Managing Director of LREF, followed by speeches from Nathalie Porte, Vice-President of Normandy region overseeing tourism, and Marcel Bastide, Mayor of Arromanches-les-Bains.
Rémi Praud delved into the key milestones of LRE’s decade-long journey, while Madeleine Lebranchu, Vice President of FFRandonnée, announced a new collaboration agreement with the LRE Foundation during her speech, signed up immediately after the ceremony.
The event featured the handover of three Vectors of Memory to the three speakers, culminating with closing remarks from Rémi Praud. Additionally, attendees had the privilege of hearing D-Day Veteran Mervyn Kersh’s reflections, interviewed by Ben Mayne, LRE UK Director. As a sign of gratitude for Mr. Kersh’s continuous support of the LRE activities, he also received a Vector of Memory.
Reflecting on the milestone, Rémi Praud says: “As I am looking back at the ten years of the existence of LRE, I feel a great sense of pride in what we have achieved. I am confident that together we will achieve even more in the future. I am extremely thankful to all our members, partners and funders, as well as team members who contributed to our work during the past decade.”
As the journey of Liberation Route Europe enters its second decade, the LRE Foundation remains committed to fostering new ways to experience and connect remembrance sites, history and personal stories throughout the European landscape.
For more information on the project and the hiking trails have a look at www.liberationroute.com
