Commemorating the 80th anniversary of Monaco's liberation!
On 3 September, the Principality of Monaco will commemorate the 80th anniversary of its liberation from successive Italian and German occupations during the Second World War.
H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince hopes to make this year's anniversary extra special, as other countries have done, with a nod to our allies, particularly the American army, who took such vital action during the war.
Units from the First Airborne Task Force, commanded by General Frederick, advanced and took to the skies over Provence on 15 August, forcing the Germans to retreat, resulting in the uprising of local resistance groups.
A special tribute will be paid to General Frederick. The Prince's government has made a financial contribution towards erecting a bronze statue, unveiled on 14 August at La Motte, in the Var department, where the Airborne Task Force first descended from the sky exactly eighty years ago. The General was also honoured through a commemorative postage stamp issued by the Principality on 15 August (artwork attached). His grandson, Bradford Hicks, was invited to the national commemoration day on 3 September.
A military ceremony will be held at the Monaco Cemetery on 3 September at 5pm in front of the memorial to those fallen during world conflicts from the 20th century. H.S.H Prince Albert II will deliver a speech, with several Monegasque senior officials in attendance. Three military detachments from Monaco, France and the United States have been invited to pay tribute.
A wreath laying ceremony was held at 6pm, outside the National Council building, at the commemorative plaque honouring resistance fighter René Borghini and his liaison officer Esther Poggio, who were shot on 15 August 1944. The commemorations continued to the Ministry of State Hall, where H.S.H the Sovereign Prince officially unveiled an exhibition entitled ‘Monaco Libéré - 3 September – 28 December 1944’ (see the attached poster). The exhibition was curated by the National Archives Preparatory Mission, the Prince’s Palace Archives and the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco in collaboration with the Multimedia Library of Monaco and runs until 31 January 2025 to welcome a wide audience, including pupils and teachers from the Principality’s schools.
In keeping with annual tradition, the C.C.E (Comité de commémoration d’époque) ensured the day was packed full of events, and the local streets were buzzing with activity and the sight of vintage uniforms, equipment, and vehicles. A remembrance trail stretched from Avenue Saint-Laurent to Place du Palais via the Maison de France and the Lycée Albert Ier.
The Multimedia Library of Monaco, the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco, the Department of Education, Youth and Sport, and the association Devoir de mémoire (Duty of Remembrance Association) will continue to host a range of events until next spring to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe.