The National Bell Festival is thrilled to join the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the National Park Service in celebrating the Netherlands’ Liberation Day and the completion of the rehabilitation of the Netherlands Carillon.
And you’re invited! After a years-long restoration that began in late 2019, the Netherlands Carillon is set to resound back to life this coming Thursday, May 5, during an inaugural Freedom Concert. The morning event, which is free and open to the public, will include performances on 53 bells and addresses from both embassy and park officials.
The carillon stands in commemoration of America’s help in liberating the Netherlands after years of Nazi control during World War II. Gifted by the grateful nation to the American people, the 127-foot bell tower has stood in Arlington Ridge Park (next to Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial) since the 1950s.
The most recent renovation saw the 50 tower bells shipped to the Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry in the Netherlands for care and restoration, bringing them back to their full resounding glory. Three new carillon bells have been cast to augment the set and to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Those new bells have been named in honor of George C. Marshall, Martin Luther King Jr., and Eleanor Roosevelt. With the additional three bells, the tower has been elevated to grand carillon status.
Want to hear them ring? Be the first! Join us for the inaugural Freedom Concert this Thursday.
Inaugural Freedom Concert & Rededication of the Netherlands Carillon
Thursday, May 5, 2022, from 10am to noon
Arlington Ridge Park, Arlington, Virginia
You are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair and come sit close to the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington Ridge Park to enjoy the event. A limited number of chairs have been reserved for the elderly. Parking at Arlington Ridge Park is very limited. There is metered parking on N. Meade St. and in the neighborhood adjacent to the park.
