Canada's Capital to shine next spring with Liberation75 Tulips

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands, bright orange Liberation75 tulips will flourish in Canada's Capital in the spring of 2020. To prepare for their arrival, a ceremonial planting was held in Commissioners Park today.

National Capital Commission Chief Executive Officer 

Tobi Nussbaum

 welcomed 

Don White

, a Canadian Second World War veteran who participated in the 1945 liberation of 

the Netherlands

 and was presented with a box of Liberation75 tulip bulbs by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of 

the Netherlands

 last month. The gift box represents the repeat of the 1945 post-war gift from the Dutch Royal Family who gave the original donation of tulip bulbs to 

Canada

 as a token of its appreciation for 

Canada's

 role in liberating 

the Netherlands

 from Nazi 

Germany

, and for hosting members of the royal family during the war.

Also in attendance was His Excellency Henk van der Zwan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of 

the Netherlands

, 

Grant Hooker

, President and Chair of the Canadian Tulip Festival, as well as students from St. Joseph Catholic high school in 

Nepean

 and St. Mark Catholic high school in 

Manotick

.

QUICK FACTS

• Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet herself was born at the Ottawa Civic Hospital in 1943 when her mother, then-Princess Juliana (later Queen), lived in exile at Stornoway, which is now one of Canada's official residences.

• The Liberation75 tulip is an existing cultivar of a tulip that was renamed to commemorate the 1945 liberation of the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. The tulip's original name is "Orange Emperor."

• The Liberation75 tulip was chosen by the NCC, the Canadian Tulip Festival, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands because of its orange colour, large and early blooming.

• As the official gardener of Canada's Capital, the NCC is responsible for designing and planting close to one million tulips of 100 varieties, in 100 flower beds, which brightens the region in springtime.

• The most spectacular display of tulips is in Commissioners Park by Dows Lake, where 250,000 tulips of 60 varieties bloom in the park's 30 flower beds.

QUOTES"The people of 

the Netherlands

 will never forget the liberation 75 years ago and we are very grateful to join the National Capital Commission and the Canadian Tulip Festival in a program that should engage all of 

Canada

 in remembering the struggles, sacrifices and joys of that occasion. I am proud and honoured that Canadian veteran Mr. 

Don White

 and his family, as well as high school students from St. Joseph Catholic High School and St. Mark Catholic High School were able to join us today. Some 1,100 schools across 

Canada

 have received 75 of the Liberation75 tulip bulbs, along with an education guide to contextualize the historical significance of 

Canada's

 role in liberating 

the Netherlands

 and providing our Royal Family with a safe haven. It is important we never forget." — His Excellency Henk van der Zwan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of 

the Netherlands

"These beautiful gifts of gratitude of the Dutch royal family and the people of 

the Netherlands

, have bloomed to become the central attraction of springtime in 

Canada's

 Capital. As the official gardener of 

Canada's

 Capital, the National Capital Commission will showcase the Liberation75 with pride." — 

Tobi Nussbaum

, Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission "The

Canadian Tulip Festival

is delighted to be working on the 1.1 million bulb Liberation75 commemorative planting campaign with the National Capital Commission and other supportive partners. Seeing Princess Margriet hand the first of our Liberation75 tulip bulbs to Second World War veteran 

Don White

 in Apeldoorn was a moving experience. And now to have Mr. White with us to present this symbolic royal gift to the National Capital Commission for planting is a gesture full of meaning for those familiar with the stories that led to the end of the Second World War and the beginning of 

Canada's

 tulip tradition." — 

Grant Hooker

, President and Chair, Canadian Tulip Festival

SOURCE: Canadian Tulip Festival