For the past five years Professors on Stage at TU/e has marked the conclusion of the academic year. As this event has now been removed from the program, the Eindhoven Activities Committee (EAC), which was responsible for it, has been looking for a new initiative that can be held annually.

The committee felt that a Liberation Festival early in the new academic year and related to the Liberation of Eindhoven on September 18 was an excellent alternative. And one that fits well with the committee's aim, which is to draw attention in a positive way to the E.S.C. in the city of Eindhoven.

EAC secretary Bob Hofstede says that initially the intention was to hold the festival in the square named 18 Septemberplein, but that obtaining a license was a obstacle. “The municipality is currently processing our application to hold it on Lichtplein,” tells Hofstede. “We hope to receive a definite answer soon, then we can continue the preparations and start doing promotional work.”

Drinks party atmosphere

Hofstede says that the festival will be about more than just partying and music. Earlier in the day on the square, at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, an atmosphere akin to that of a drinks party will be created in which people engage in debate about the importance of freedom and peace. We will also invite speakers with a story to tell that relates to this theme.”

A wishes tree will stand on the festival site. Here, visitors can hang their messages, and the fencing enclosing the site will be hung with cloths adorned with photographs of the Liberation of Eindhoven in September 1944.”

For the main act of the evening the EAC is keen to get a band like Chef’Special, although whether the budget will permit this is debatable, believes Hofstede. “In terms of the budget we are working with three scenarios," he says, "the most ambitious of which - at 40,000 euros - naturally offers us the most possibilities. We are currently preparing to submit a sponsor application to the University Fund Eindhoven. We have also forged contacts with the 18 September Foundation and the Vredesburo Eindhoven Foundation, both of which have given us a number of interesting leads in terms of possible sponsors.”

If the festival is a success, Hofstede believes the logical next step will be to make it an annual event.