Annual Ceremonies

The 48th Highlanders

Every year on the Sunday nearest April 12 there is a memorial service for the fallen servicemen of the Regiment 48th Highlanders of Canada. This is the regiment that liberated Apeldoorn. Their commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie got killed then, on 12th April 1945. This service is organized by the 48th Highlanders of Holland Pipes and Drums from Apeldoorn.

May 4 Remembrance Day

Every year on May 4th, a commemoration ceremony is held at the Canadian Cemetery Holten on the occasion of Remembrance Day. Primary school children play a central role in this. We hope to convince them that war must be prevented, that peace cannot be taken for granted and that everything must be done to preserve freedom. The commemoration starts at 11:00 and this year you will need an admission ticket. This year, the 8th anniversary commemoration will be celebrated on a grand scale with special attention for the family members of the Canadian liberators and guest speakers from Canada. The organization is in the hands of the Stichting Viering Nationale Feestdagen Holten in collaboration with the primary schools.

Remembrance Day

Every second Sunday in November a memorial service is held here on the occasion of Remembrance Day. This service starts at 10 a.m. and is free. Organized by the Seaforth Highlanders Memorial Pipes and Drums.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve elementary school children place burning candles on each grave. This tradition was initiated in 1991 by Leena van Dam. Finland, her native country, has a long history of commemorating their fallen loved ones this way. Mrs van Dam financed the candles for a period of five years. The Holten Foundation “Welcome Again Veterans”took over the costs of the candles until 2011. Since then the Foundation Celebration National Holidays, together with the Holten elementary schools, has organized and funded the event. The ceremony starts at 4.30 p.m. and is free to the public.

Other ceremonies

Throughout the year the cemetery is visited by various Canadian Regiments or organizations, having their own memorials. The memorials are usually announced in advance and they are also free.