Canadian Tulip Festival - Veterans Day Ceremony

The Canadian Tulip Festival is proud to present its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on May 18, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Beechwood National Cemetery. Viewers can watch the formal private ceremony on the Festival’s TULIPTV channel.

The ceremony will include a wreath laying to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands. The ties that the Festival has to the Netherlands are formidable. The Canadian Tulip Festival was established to celebrate the historic Royal gift of tulips from the Dutch to Canadians immediately following the Second World War as a symbol of international friendship. The Festival preserves the memorable role of the Canadian troops in the liberation of the Netherlands and Europe, as well as commemorates the birth of Dutch Princess Margriet in Ottawa during World War II—the only royal personage ever born in Canada.

Understandably, these are extraordinary times where many events and activities are being cancelled and postponed to a later date when people can gather together in celebration and commemoration once again. Even though the Canadian Tulip Festival and Beechwood National Cemetery would prefer to have had Veterans, dignitaries and the public attend Veterans Day to properly acknowledge the contributions service men and women have made to our country, it was unanimously agreed that a Festival ceremony – no matter how streamlined – should take place to honour all those who have served. The simplicity of the now-streamed event will only amplify its powerful significance for all of us.