What Wageningen45 does

Wageningen45 is a Dutch cultural non-profit (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling, ANBI) headquartered at Niemeijerstraat 1, 6701 CL Wageningen, that organizes the annual May 4-5 commemoration and liberation festivals marking the signing of the German surrender in Wageningen on May 5, 1945. The organization serves the Dutch general public, surviving WWII veterans, schoolchildren and students, 107 participating municipalities, and government stakeholders through a layered portfolio of remembrance ceremonies, a national broadcast, a torch relay, a liberation festival, and recurring educational programs. Leadership comprises Director Chris Janssen and Chairman Tanja Haseloop-Amsing, with a small operational team of 1-10 employees.

Its core offerings center on an integrated annual program: the Nationale Herdenking Capitulaties 1945 ceremony; the "Vuur van de Vrijheid" national broadcast produced with NOS/NPO, Theater na de Dam, and XSAGA; the Bevrijdingsvuurestafette (liberation torch relay) spanning 107 municipalities with approximately 2,500 torch runners; the Vrijheidsdefilé parade; the Bevrijdingsfestival Gelderland with 80+ acts across 15 stages drawing roughly 80,000 visitors; and the Vrijheidsmaaltijd communal dinner for approximately 1,200 guests held at the historic Hotel de Wereld. Recurring educational products include Vrijheidscolleges (freedom lectures), Wereldgesprekken (world conversations), Monumentadoptie (monument adoption), and Brievenactie (letter-writing campaigns), typically delivered with schools and partner NGOs such as Save the Children Netherlands and Amnesty International. The organization also runs a merchandise program, which in 2026 was extended with a circular flag line made from recycled materials.

The business model is non-commercial and donation/sponsorship-funded. Revenue is generated through individual donations, corporate sponsorship (Van Gelder as flagship/main sponsor, with Menzis and V-fonds as additional sponsors), merchandise sales, and institutional support from the Ministry of Defence, the Netherlands Institute for Military Veterans, the Municipality of Wageningen, and the use of Hotel de Wereld as the historic signing venue. Distribution is anchored by the NOS/NPO national broadcast and by the multi-municipal torch-relay network, while execution is delivered by a small core team supported by a broad volunteer and partner ecosystem. The organization has operated continuously for 81 years and holds a quasi-official role in the Dutch national commemoration calendar.

Name

Wageningen45

Legal name

Nationaal Comité Herdenking Capitulaties 1945

Website

https://wageningen45.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wageningen45 is a Dutch cultural non-profit that organizes the annual May 4-5 WWII liberation commemoration and festivals in Wageningen — the historic "City of Liberation" — serving the Dutch public, veterans, schools, and 107 municipalities through ceremonies, a national NOS/NPO broadcast, and educational programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wageningen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a cultural ANBI (public benefit organization), Wageningen45 relies on donations from individuals, organizations, and supporters to fund its commemoration activities and educational programs.
2. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship from main sponsors such as Van Gelder and other partners who support the annual liberation event financially and in-kind.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including clothing, flags, and accessories through the Wageningen45 webshop to support the organization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wageningen45 (Nationaal Comité Herdenking Capitulaties 1945) organizes annual remembrance and freedom events around May 4 and 5 in Wageningen, the 'City of Liberation'. It delivers the National Commemoration of the Capitulations 1945, the 'Vuur van de Vrijheid' broadcast on NPO 1, the National Liberation Torch Relay reaching 100+ municipalities, the Liberation Festival Gelderland with 15 stages and 80+ acts, and educational programs (Vrijheidscolleges, Wereldgesprekken, Monumentadoptie, Brievenactie) connecting WWII veterans with youth. The organization also operates a merchandise webshop supporting its mission.

Product overview

Wageningen45 (Nationaal Comité Herdenking Capitulaties 1945) is a cultural commemoration and celebration platform based in Wageningen, the 'Stad der Bevrijding' (City of Liberation). The organization operates three interconnected pillars: remembrance (Herdenken) including the Nationale Herdenking Capitulaties 1945, Vuur van de Vrijheid broadcast, and Bevrijdingsvuurestafette; celebration (Koesteren) featuring the Bevrijdingsfestival Gelderland with 15+ stages and 80+ acts, Vrijheidsmaaltijd, and Meet & Greet with veterans; and education (Educatie) comprising Wereldgesprekken (World Conversations), Vrijheidscolleges (Freedom Lectures), Monumentadoptie, and Brievenactie (Letter Campaign). The organization distributes content via its website, live broadcasts on NPO 1 through NOS partnership, and maintains a webshop for merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vuur van de Vrijheid Live television program broadcast on NPO 1 (late evening of May 4), featuring music, stories, and presentations on freedom and (un)freedom themes, produced with NOS, Theater na de Dam, and XSAGA. Concludes with the traditional ignition of the National Liberation Fire.
• Nationale Bevrijdingsvuurestafette Relay event where approximately 2,000-2,500 participants from 100+ Dutch municipalities spread the Liberation Fire throughout the Netherlands overnight from May 4 to May 5. Runners from Dutch and international loop groups carry the fire to their local communities.
• Nationale Herdenking Capitulaties 1945 Annual international commemoration held at the National Liberation Monument on the May 5 Square in Wageningen, featuring flag ceremony, wreath laying, and participation of (inter)national WWII veterans and military attachés.
• Vrijheidsdefilé Freedom parade featuring WWII veterans, international military detachments from NATO countries, music corps, and military vehicles, celebrating international military cooperation since 1945.
• Bevrijdingsfestival Gelderland Liberation festival with 15 stages throughout Wageningen, featuring over 80 musical acts spanning genres from rock to techno, Dutch sing-alongs to Wageningen pop. Includes Mainstage X Sena Performers Stage as the main podium.
• Vrijheidsmaaltijd Freedom dinner held on the Generaal Foulkesweg, featuring a long communal table (up to 800 meters) for approximately 1,200 diners, with world cuisine, music, and culture. Organized in cooperation with Food of Cultures and Hotel de Wereld.
• Vrijheidscolleges Series of inspiring lectures by notable Dutch personalities for young people, addressing Roosevelt's Four Freedoms: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom from Fear, and Freedom from Want. Speakers have included Haroon Ali, Soundos El Ahmadi, and Lale Gül.
• Wereldgesprekken Conversations on peace, freedom, and security topics, presented around the central theme 'Freedom: You Make the Difference!'
• Monumentadoptie Education project where students in groups 7 and 8 adopt a war monument in their hometown, organizing special commemorations with self-created poems, stories, and music.
• Brievenactie Program where secondary school students write personal thank-you letters to WWII veterans, bringing together difference-makers of the past with youth reflecting on freedom and peace.
• Webshop Wageningen45 Online store selling Wageningen45 merchandise including clothing, flags, and accessories to support the organization and its freedom events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80,000 visitors attended 2026 liberation celebrations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• NOScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational public broadcaster NOS is the key media partner for Wageningen45, producing and broadcasting the 'Vuur van de Vrijheid' (Fire of Freedom) program on NPO 1, reaching millions of viewers nationwide. NOS provides live broadcast coverage of key commemoration ceremonies.
• Theater na de DamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater na de Dam is a co-producer of the 'Vuur van de Vrijheid' program, collaborating on artistic programming and live performances during the commemoration events.
• XSAGAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXSAGA is a co-producer of the 'Vuur van de Vrijheid' program, contributing to the artistic direction and event production for the national broadcast.
• Omroep GelderlandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional broadcaster Omroep Gelderland provides live coverage of the National Commemoration and liberation events, reaching regional audiences across Gelderland province.
• Van GelderflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerVan Gelder is the main sponsor (hoofdsponsor) of Wageningen45. The infrastructure company provides material support, personnel for the liberation torch relay, and actively participates in events. As an infrastructure partner, Van Gelder connects the themes of connection and safety with the freedom message.
• Gemeente Wageningen (Municipality of Wageningen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe municipality of Wageningen is a key partner in organizing the annual commemoration events, providing resources, venues, and municipal support for the 'City of Liberation' celebrations.
• Ministerie van Defensie (Ministry of Defence)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Dutch Ministry of Defence supports the commemoration events and participates in the Liberation Defile with military detachments. The Minister of Defence attends the National Commemoration ceremonies.
• Veteraneninstituut (Veterans Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dutch Veterans Institute works with Wageningen45 to honor veterans and facilitate their participation in commemoration events.
• London Taxi Charity for Military VeteranscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe London Taxi Charity for Military Veterans facilitates the transport of British WWII veterans to the Netherlands for the annual liberation celebrations, providing special transportation arrangements for elderly veterans.
• Wageningen University & Research (WUR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal university partner that participates in commemorative events and educational programs.
• V-fondscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe V-fonds (National Fund for Remembrance, Liberation, and Veterans) is a supporter of Wageningen45 and contributes to funding commemoration activities.
• Food of CulturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatering partner for the Freedom Meal (Vrijheidsmaaltijd), organizing the large communal dinner for 1,200 guests during liberation celebrations.
• Hotel de WereldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric hotel in Wageningen where the German surrender was signed in 1945; hosts key commemoration ceremonies and the Freedom Meal.
• Save the Children NetherlandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational charity supported during liberation events; visitors are encouraged to donate and support children in conflict zones.
• Amnesty InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuman rights organization partner that raises awareness about ongoing freedom issues during commemoration events.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bevrijdingsmuseum Zeeland: Liberation museum in the Zeeland province focused on the 1944 liberation of the Scheldt region. Shares Wageningen45's explicit 'bevrijding' (liberation) thematic focus and WWII commemoration mission, with overlapping educational and remembrance programming.
• Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei: The Dutch national committee that coordinates the national remembrance on May 4 and the celebration of freedom on May 5 across the Netherlands. Wageningen45 operates the official commemoration site for this same national framework, making it the closest direct counterpart in the Dutch WWII remembrance ecosystem.
• Liberation Route Europe: International foundation that connects WWII liberation heritage sites across Europe through routes, apps, and events. Operates in the same WWII commemoration and liberation storytelling space as Wageningen45, with overlapping audiences and partners.
• Airborne Museum Hartenstein: Museum and memorial in Oosterbeek dedicated to the 1944 Operation Market Garden airborne battle and subsequent liberation. Comparable WWII commemorative museum institution with educational programming and veterans engagement similar to Wageningen45's offerings.
• Herinneringscentrum Kamp Westerbork: Memorial center on the site of WWII transit camp Westerbork in Drenthe. Operates a national WWII memorial site with educational programming, similar to Wageningen45's operation of the National Liberation Monument and associated remembrance programs.
• Nationaal Verzetsmuseum: Dutch national museum on WWII resistance and liberation, located in Amsterdam. Comparable to Wageningen45 in mission (commemorating WWII, educating the public on freedom) but operates as a permanent museum institution rather than an annual event-based organization.

Broad incumbents

• Imperial War Museums: UK national museum organization covering conflicts from WWI onward, including a substantial WWII liberation program. Comparable mission of preserving WWII memory and educating the public on freedom and conflict, at much greater scale than Wageningen45.

Emerging players

• NIOD Instituut voor Oorlog, Holocaust en Genocidestudies: Dutch institute for war, Holocaust and genocide studies. While primarily a research institution, NIOD shapes the Dutch public discourse on WWII that Wageningen45's commemoration events draw upon, making it a thematic and ecosystem peer despite a different operating model.

Others

• Veteraneninstituut: Dutch Veterans Institute that supports and represents military veterans. A core partner of Wageningen45 for the Vrijheidsdefilé and veterans programming, operating in the same ecosystem rather than as a direct competitor.
• V-fonds: National Dutch fund for peace, freedom, remembrance, and veteran support. Listed as a core partner/supporter of Wageningen45 and provides funding across the Dutch WWII remembrance ecosystem in which Wageningen45 operates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wageningen45
• Facebookfacebook.com/wageningen45
• Instagraminstagram.com/wageningen45
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wageningen45

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wageningen45