June 6, 2009 - the 65th anniversary of the landings at Normandy and the starting of the end of WWII.
United States President Barack Obama will be attending the 65th anniversary of D-Day ceremonies in Normandy on the 6th of June, 2009. French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed the American Presidents visit during the commemorations of the 8th of May in Sainte-Maxime. Though Barack Obama's itenerary is not yet set, many believe that he will be stopping in Caen as well as the Peace memorial. There are also current talks of the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown attending as well.
Keeping the Memory alive
Sixty-five years after D-Day, the landing sites still speak to us of the heroic actions and sacrifice of the Allied forces. Museums and memorials provide a window to the past, while continuing to update and innovate, passing the flame of remembrance to the younger generations.
How can we grasp the enormity of the sacrifice? Visit the American Cemetery and contemplate the endless rows of white crosses - 9,386 in all –in perfect alignment, leading your eyes out over Omaha Beach. You can almost see the landing boats on the horizon… What actually happened on D-Day? Omaha, Utah and Juno Beach each have a museum providing insight into the assault through collections and archive film footage. Arromanches’ artificial port is also explained in a museum facing the remains of this gigantic undertaking. In Sainte-Mère Eglise, the famous drop point the night before the landings, you can see an actual WACO glider, while further inland, the Memorial of Coudehard-Montormel tells of the bitter fighting that brought the Battle of Normandy to an end.
But what was D-Day really like? Today you can experience intense moments of the June 6th assault inside one of the original Merville Battery blockhouses thanks to digital surround sound, a light show and battlefield odors. At the Arromanches 360° circular cinema you are at the center of the action during an exceptional film, combining period footage and modern-day images. As of June 2009, you will be able to rent a multimedia PDA/GPS that provides explanations, archive photos and videos corresponding to each point of interest in the Sainte-Mère-Eglise - Utah beach sector. And to get the big picture, don’t miss the Caen Memorial, one of the most visited in Europe, which covers 20th century history and the long road from war to peace.
FESTIVITIES 2009Once again, and for the third edition, the Bayeux-Bessin tourist office presents its annual D-Day Festival, which will take place in Bayeux, Longues-sur-Mer and Port-en-Bessin-Huppain on June 5th, 6th and 7th.
First given in 2007, the Festival contributes in highlighting the touristic appeal of the region, internationally famous for 65 years: out of 4 million visiting the sites of the Battle of the Normandy, 3 million are counted in the Bessin area alone. It therefore seemed particularly legitimate for the Bayeux-Bessin region to organise a major touristic event reflecting its historic heritage.
The D-Day festival is a popular event which will be linked to the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings: it is the celebration of the liberation, and the occasion for the veterans to travel for the last time to Normandy. That’s why this big celebration promises to be a particularly moving and festive time. The programme of the events will suit the whole family: a lighting-up of the coast with 25 fireworks along 50 miles of coastline, the official liberation evening with the famous London gospel band, the London Community Gospel Choir, a parade with over 300 military vehicles and a 13 mile long walk in the footsteps of the British soldiers … An event not to be missed!
FREE ACCESS!
|  “The night they arrived”
Friday 5th June – Longues-sur-Mer & Port-en-Bessin-Huppain – 11pm
Normandie Mémoire, an association which promotes the historical heritage and the duty of remembrance, is preparing a magic moment: an incredible lightning up of the coast!
At 11pm, 25 magnificent fireworks will light the coast along 50 miles for the 65th anniversary of the D-Day, from Merville-Franceville to Saint Martin de Varreville, near Utah Beach. This first show will be a tribute to the soldiers who landed on June 6th, 1944, in order to free France. Longues-sur-Mer and Port-en-Bessin are two of the numerous location taking part in this event.
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|  In the footsteps of the 47th British Commando
Saturday 6th June – From Asnelles to Port-en-Bessin-Huppain – 8.30am
A historical and popular 13 mile long-walk is organised by the Bayeux-Bessin tourist office to re-live the epic of the soldiers who freed Port-en-Bessin. On 6th June 1944, it was the 47th British Commando’s mission to take part Port-en-Bessin, thus making it the first petroleum harbour. It was the opportunity to make the junction with the junction with the American troops coming from Omaha beach.
A lively picnic will be organised at noon with a concert by the band awaiting Power Flower the participants. A British veteran will give a short conference during luch and some veterans of the 47th commando will be there for the D-Day festival. During the afternoon, the participants will enjoy a break in Mont Cavalier to know how the harbour was taken. The speaker will give a lecture for the last time to share his own story.
The bus will drive back the participants at 5.30pm from Port-en-Bessin-Huppain.
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| “The official liberation evening”
Saturday 6th June – Bayeux, place De Gaulle – 6.30pm
6.30 pm: Concert with the philharmonic orchestra from Bayeux
The Bayeux’s philharmonic orchestra will revisit music from famous films, the biggest 1940’s hits and military marches. 7.30 pm: Picnic and liberation ball with the Anita Covelli Quartet. Anita Covelli is a well-known singer from Normandy, she will interpret songs from her repertoire to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the D-Day. It will be a popular ball just like in the 40’s with a joyful atmosphere of the “post world war II”.
Everyone will bring his picnic or get it on site thanks to Kiwani’s association who will propose a food stand. 10 pm: Grand concert with the London Community Gospel Choir Bayeux is proud to do things on the grand scale by welcoming the London Community Gospel Choir. Through this band singing the liberation, the symbolism is significant: Bayeux is the first town to be liberated in France thanks to the Britannic soldiers. In 1982 a dream and a vision came alive. Bazil Meade made a mark in history pioneering the first concert gospel choir in Britain – the London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC). Over the years, he worked with more than 100 singers from all accross the country. His great reputation earned him frequent appearances on the radio and on tv, or side by side with world-renowned artists such as George Michael, The Temptations, Manu Dibango, Tina Turner, Michael Bolton, Blur, Depeche Mode, Celine Dion, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross or Elton John. The LCGC also took part in the original soundtrack of the movie "the Lion King" Walt Disney 's most successful film until now.
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|  “Liberation picnic”
Sunday 7th June – Port-en-Bessin-Huppain – 1pm
Port-en-Bessin-Huppain takes part for the first time in the D-Day Festival, organizing a big picnic for everyone with musical entertainment.
The city was the first petroleum harbour of the landing operation on 7th June 1944, consequently the most important objective for the allies in the recapture of the territory. |
|  “Bayeux, first town to be liberated”
Sunday 7th June – Bayeux – 3pm
True to popular tradition, Bayeux organised last year a parade of historic vehicles, but this year, the city together with the tourist office have decided to go up a watch : thanks to the partnership with MVCG France, no less than 300 military vehicles will parade in the center of Bayeux.
Displayed on place Gauquelin Despallières, on Sunday morning from 10h30 to 12h30, the D-Day legendary vehicles will then parade along Larcher Street at 3pm, via the street Saint-Malo and Saint-Martin. Mr Quemener, President of MVCG France will do a commentary throughout, from the city hall square. |
For More Information Contact: Office de Tourisme de Bayeux Intercom
Mélanie Dufrou
Phone : (+33) 02.31.51.28.24
Email : mdufrou@bayeux-tourism.com
