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Coventry joins together for VE Day commemoration

John Bray
BBC News, Coventry
Lantern lit at Coventry's VE Day commemorations

The 80th anniversary of VE Day was marked in Coventry with a city centre street party.

The event marked 80 years to the day since Germany's surrender of its armed forces to signal the end of World War Two in Europe.

It also honoured the contribution of South Asian communities during the war with a performance of Bhangra dance.

The evening closed with Coventry joining other towns and cities in lighting a Lamp Light of Peace before a collective rendition of singer Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again, followed by the national anthem.

A woman in a blue dress with white collar, pearl necklace and glasses with a man dressed in green army uniform World War Two
A woman in a hi-vis jacket takes a photo of a woman dressed in second world war RAF uniform and a man in a flat cap wearing a multi-coloured blanket
Several Coventry residents attended the event dressed in 1940s outfits
Re-enactors mingled with Coventrians to bring a taste of the 1940s to the event

"As a city that suffered so greatly in the war and emerged with a message of peace and reconciliation, it is so fitting that we host a party in the heart of the city to mark the 80th anniversary of such a momentous day in our history," said Councillor Abdul Khan, deputy leader of Coventry City Council.

"It gives us a chance to look back and remember and give thanks for the peace that the people of those years fought so hard to give us."

A man holding up a phone to record three singers in red dresses
Three female singers in red 1940s dresses
As day turned to night, the crowds were entertained on stage in Coventry by The Satin Dollz
The Satin Dollz performed a number of wartime songs

Entertainment during the evening was hosted by BBC CWR.

Editor Sophie Cook said: "VE Day stands as a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many during one of history's darkest times.

"BBC CWR is proud to join Coventrians together to pay tribute to the Word War Two generation and ensure their legacy is remembered."

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Two women on stilts with white dresses and red, white and blue sections on the front
A photo of Coventry's Broadgate square with people sat watching the event on picnic benches. In the foreground, a woman is wearing the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine
Two stilt-walkers entered into the spirit of the event with red, white and blue outfits
Large crowds had gathered in Broadgate for the event with one woman draped in the flag of Ukraine

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