- Student
- 28/05/2025
Student initiative Liberation 040 in dire straits
Due to the loss of financial support, it has become extremely difficult for student initiative Liberation 040 to continue organizing the annual Liberation Festival. The foundation’s chair fears that the eighth edition in September may be the last. She sounds the alarm.
Liberation 040 is a student initiative that takes place in the center of Eindhoven, on the 18 September Square. The event was first organized in 2018. Since then, it has become an annual event, and preparations are currently underway for the eighth edition of the Liberation Festival.
“Every year, we get more visitors,” says Lotte Bakker, chair of the Liberation 040 foundation. “It’s a freely accessible festival that brings together Eindhoven residents of all ages and backgrounds.”
The main goal of the Liberation Festival is to raise awareness about the concept of freedom. “In addition to music, there’s also a ‘Freedom Square’ organized by the North Brabant Veterans Foundation, the Ministry of Defense, Amnesty, the Dutch Council for Refugees, and UNICEF, among others.”
Given the increasing global tensions, the concept of freedom is now more relevant than ever. “At the same time, the festival brings people together in an era of growing polarization. But it’s possible that this year’s edition of Liberation 040 will be the last,” says Bakker.
This is not because of the theme, ‘Keep the fire burning’, but rather due to the loss of subsidies from the Zabawas Foundation, Rabobank’s Cooperative Fund, and the Brabant Culture Fund, Bakker explains. “Community events are one of the first things that companies cut back on in times of austerity, and we’re feeling the effects of that. On the municipality’s advice, we’ve already spoken with four large companies, but it did not result in a sponsorship.”
Liberation 040 feels heard and supported by the municipality. “But we need structural support. Most of our expenses go toward setting up and decorating the square, as well as security. And then there are the fees for bands, and promotion is also essential.”
No government funding
Eindhoven’s history is unique because the city was liberated as early as September 18, 1944, much earlier than the rest of the Netherlands. This exceptional position has both advantages and disadvantages. Bakker: “Many free liberation festivals are struggling nationwide, and government support has now been made available. However, Eindhoven misses out on this because Liberation 040 takes place around September 18, so it doesn’t align with the national celebration on May 5. As a result, the festival receives no government funding. Without structural support from local businesses or social organizations, we will be forced to shut down.”
And that would be a real shame, says the foundation’s chair. “We need to understand what happened in the past, and we need to keep our eyes open to what is happening in the present.” That is why Liberation 040 is currently in talks with the municipality of Eindhoven. “I hope to have clarity before the summer holidays on whether financial support will be provided to keep organizing the Eindhoven Liberation Festival annually beyond 2025. Otherwise, we’ll have to pull the plug.”
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