Bob Hofstede, secretary of the EAC and of the foundation that was set up specially for Liberation 040, has been involved in this initiative from its earliest days. In 2017 the EAC, a committee within the Eindhoven Students Corps, already harbored the intention of holding a liberation festival in the square known as Lichtplein, “but at the time that idea was really overly optimistic,” says the cheerful Hofstede, a student of Innovation Sciences. “We had hugely underestimated how much time is involved in applying for and obtaining permits, finding suitable partners, securing the necessary budget and booking performers and bands.”

Even so, Hofstede and his fellow organizers, currently numbering seven, have still had their hands full organizing Liberation 040. Léon van de Beek, a student of Software Science and responsible for hardware like the stage, light and sound, says this past year has been a tough learning experience, “especially when it comes to establishing exactly what you need and what all that is going to cost.” Even just a month ago the costs of all the hardware, spiraling way beyond the budget, threatened to throw a spanner in the works. “But fortunately as a team we are able to tackle setbacks like that quickly and creatively,” says Van de Beek.

Impact

The EAC had several reasons for organizing a festival related to the liberation of Eindhoven. “To start with we want to raise awareness more explicitly of this chapter of the Second World War, which played out in the city where the festival-goers are now studying,” says Casper van der Schenk, a student of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences and vice chair of the EAC. “Many students do not know why we celebrate the liberation here on  September 18 and yet nationally that's done on May 5. Or they are not aware of the huge impact it had on the city and that Eindhoven was even the capital of the Netherlands for a while.”

Veterans will be interviewed about this episode, in between performances. The organizers are still pondering what form of interaction with the public might be involved. And there will be a timeline showing the most important events in Eindhoven during WO II. The students are keen to make the connection with the here and now and to show the value of freedom at a time when there is much discussion about the arrival of migrants from war zones. “For this reason a refugee from one of these countries will also tell their story for the public,” says Hofstede. “For this part of the program we are receiving a lot of support from Amnesty and from the foundation Stichting 18 September.”

Local bands

Naturally the performers and bands are also vitally important when it comes to attracting a broad public. Van der Schenk: “It must be a real party for students and the residents of Eindhoven. We have focused on local bands and up and coming bands. The program includes DJ La Fuente, Wulf, Son Mieux, The Brahms, Lampegastuh, Melissa Janssen, Secret Act and Beaux. A line-up we had to move mountains to get, but one that we are really happy with.”

Visitors who want to can leave something painted with a paintbrush or in spray paint on a large ‘freedom wall’, and at 19.44 hrs ‘a special moment’ will be held to focus attention on the liberation of Eindhoven. Since that is what this group of students is aiming to achieve: a positive, festive atmosphere combined with a cultural event that fosters learning. “And we think this lends itself perfectly to becoming an annual event,” says Hofstede. “Although our team won't be doing it again, we will lovingly pass on our knowledge and experience to those who want to take it on for 2019.”