May 5
What is connection between Canada’s capital, tulips, and the Liberation of the Netherlands?
In Ottawa, Ontario, the Canadian Tulip Festival transforms the city each spring into a vibrant sea of flowers, honouring a unique bond between Canada and the Netherlands. This annual celebration marks both the critical role Canadian troops played in the 1945 liberation of the Netherlands and the extraordinary gesture of gratitude from the Dutch royal family, who sent tens of thousands of tulips as thanks for sanctuary during World War II. Today, more than 35,000 tulips brighten Beechwood Cemetery’s botanical gardens alone, while visitors and photographers from around the world gather to capture their beauty and reflect on sacrifices made decades ago. In 2025, the 73rd festival will also commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Netherlands’ liberation, keeping the legacy of friendship and peace blooming for new generations.
