THE 80th ANNIVERSARIES OF VICTORY IN EUROPE AND VICTORY OVER JAPAN

I wanted to use this opportunity to notify you of the announcement on the Government’s plans to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day. I am delighted that DCMS is leading the Government’s contributions to the historic commemorations.

This year marks 80 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. The long anticipated news resulted in millions celebrating the end of the war, with street parties, dancing and singing across the country. The war in the Far East did not end until 15 August 1945, when Japan surrendered, which was celebrated across the world as ‘Victory over Japan’ (VJ Day), the end of the Second World War.

The Second World War touched every aspect of life and had a devastating impact on those who experienced it, and for the generations after. From the sailors, soldiers and aviators who fought, to children who were evacuated, and all those who stepped into essential roles on the home front, we owe our freedoms of today to the Second World War generation who 80 years ago paid the ultimate sacrifice in giving generations lasting peace. It will be a time for us to come together to listen to their stories and reflect on their values that ensured the Allied victory – service and selflessness across our nation.

I am delighted to share that the Government has an ambitious Programme for the entire nation to commemorate VE and VJ Day 80. The May Bank Holiday, Monday 5 May, will see the Cenotaph dressed in Union flags, a Military procession and a flypast in London. Street parties,

BBQs and community get togethers will be held across the country, echoing the celebrations

80 years ago, and a ceremony on HMS Belfast will kick off community celebrations. On

Thursday 8 May, the VE Programme will include a service of remembrance and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, followed by a concert. On Friday 15 August, the Royal British Legion will lead the nation in honouring and remembering those who fought and died during the War in the

Far East with a service marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day at the National Memorial Arboretum. This will all be accompanied by a National Engagement Programme, including educational resources and creative community activity.

We are hoping to see communities across the country coming together to mark the commemorations – by participating in the official government Programme and by organising their own events and activities. I would appreciate it if you could help your communities in their preparations for VE Day – making processes cost-free for residents, signposting and updating existing community activity guidance and being flexible when receiving applications for road closures for street parties. I know that your work in doing so for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022 and the Coronation in 2023 contributed greatly to such memorable community events for so many.

My Department has launched an interactive website – ve-vjday80.gov.uk – which offers key information and resources, including ways to get involved in the commemorations. The site features downloadable digital materials and an interactive map of events. Resources and educational material will be made available to help young people learn about the Second World War. Please encourage everyone to visit the website to discover local events and to add their own activities. Where possible, I would be delighted if you could share the link to the website so we can ensure as many people as possible are aware of this significant anniversary and how to get involved.

I hope that local government can promote VE and VJ Day 80 amongst their communities, support organisations and individuals within their communities wishing to host events, and consider hosting their own events for the public to attend. For communities that require funding to host events, please also point them to the National Lottery Community Fund. I set out further opportunities for communities to plan local events below:

Street Parties

We are encouraging community get togethers and street parties to take place on Monday 5 May, and you can play an important role in supporting residents who want to organise parties for their neighbours. For example, relaxing road closure rules to enable street parties to take place as easily as possible will be important. Updated street parties’ guidance on how to organise a street party can be found here.

Educational Resources

Resources and educational material will be made available for schools and youth groups to help young people learn about the Second World War and the importance of the role played by their forebearers in securing the peace we enjoy today. In partnership with the Imperial War Museum, Letters to Loved Ones will encourage the public to delve into their family history to find letters sent by their relatives to loved ones during the Second World War. It is hoped that this will bring together first-hand testimonies from soldiers on the front line, and the women and children on the home front.

Community Funding

From April to August, Arts Council England will work with arts organisations across the country using culture to tell the stories of our towns, cities and villages during the Second World War. Funding will also be made available through the National Lottery Community Fund for organisations across England to bid for grants to host community events, activities and exhibitions to help tell the stories of the Second World War at a local level, ensuring the legacy of the war and its impact on individuals and communities across the country is not forgotten. The Big Lunch will develop street party packs to help communities with accessible resources and these will be uploaded to the VE/VJ Day 80 website – ve-vjday80.gov.uk.

VE/VJ Day events and projects organised by Local Authority-owned civic amenities

Libraries, museums, leisure centres, heritage sites etc are welcome to host their own individual events and projects to mark VE Day. For example, this could include exhibitions, concerts or special talks. Please do encourage this activity, and support the individuals organising these as needed. Councils are welcome to organise and facilitate VE and VJ Day events and celebrations within their towns and cities, which could include their own civic occasion, for example, “The Mayor’s VE Day party”.

If you have any questions on the above, please don’t hesitate to contact my officials at vevjday80@dcms.gov.uk

I look forward to seeing the exciting and creative ways in which communities choose to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day this year. I will make further announcements

regarding events and educational resources in the coming weeks and will keep you informed of Programme developments. Together, we will unite to pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War.

Date	Activity
Monday 5th May	●       UK-wide street parties, supported by the Big Lunch ●       Cenotaph dressed in Union flags ●       Military procession and flypast in London ●       Street party on HMS Belfast
Tuesday 6th May	●       Light up of historic landmarks ●       Opening of Tower of London poppies exhibition
Wednesday 7th May	● Parliamentary Choir Event
Thursday 8th May (VE Day)	●       Westminster Abbey Service ●       Concert on Horse guards Parade
Friday 15th August (VJ Day)	● Commemorative Service at the National Memorial Arboretum