The 80th anniversary of Niki is honoring Europe today with various ceremonies planned around the countries.

France honors its dead and marks the 80th anniversary of the victory day in Europe (VE), which is a holiday this year, as every year. In Paris, the President, Emmanuel Macronwill lay a wreath at the foot of the statue of Charles de Gaulle, walk in the Champs Elysees until the Arc de Triomphe, rekindle the eternal flame in the tomb of the unknown warrior and inspect the troops.

It will be observed for a minute’s silence, Massaliotida will be heard, Macron’s speech will be spoken of “the values ​​that triumphed in 1945”, military bands from six countries will participate and parade staff of the French Armed Forces.

But France is one of the amazing few European countries celebrating Niki Day with such a ceremony.

“The 80th anniversary of the victory of 8 May 1945 is more than ever, a double responsibility,” the French Defense Ministry said in a statement this week: “To the last surviving witnesses of the war and to the younger generation.”

In 2025, it is more important than ever than the celebrations of Victory Day to “honor the sacrifices of those who fought and suffered – but also to convey their testimonies and memories to today’s young people,” the ministry said.

This ambition shares and the Berlin, Which for the first time makes today’s holiday as a holiday, as Germany – like the rest of Epirus – struggles with the changes that erode the post -war order.

Throughout the capital, a series of memory events, exhibitions, testimonies, theatrical performances, public discussions, movie screenings, concerts and guided tours have been scheduled.

THE German Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Mertz, It will attend a memory ceremony in a Berlin church suffered by war, a wreath laying ceremony and the central anniversary event, a parliamentary event in Reichstag.

Undoubtedly, Europe has faced this year with many unpleasant events that the new reality has brought. Trump’s US no longer seems to share with it the values ​​that have supported the transatlantic alliance since 1945. Europe clearly can no longer be based on the US to defend it. The war in Ukraine continues and European countries are struggling to agree on an increase in defense spending.

For the Western Europe, Including the United Kingdom, today’s day is a heralding announcement to the return of freedom and the triumph of democracy and marked the end of Nazi aggression and occupation.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be accompanied by the prince and the princess of Wales, Prime Minister Kir Starmer, veterans and others in Westminster Abbey. Also, after two minutes of silence, the King and the Prince of Wales will lay wreaths with seasonal flowers, which would be blooming in May 1945 in the tomb of the unknown warrior.

Outside the abbey, Kate Middleton will unite with Camilla and other members of the royal family by depositing flowers at the Monument of Innocent victims, in honor of all the victims of war and oppression, as the processes are approaching their end.

However, not all European countries celebrate on this day today.

Belgium combines its ceremonies with the truce day on November 11, which marks the end of World War I. The Netherlands and Denmark are celebrating the day of liberation on May 5th. Italy, one of Germany’s allies in the war, also celebrates the day of liberation – the victory over Mussolini’s Mariona government – April 25.

Russia itself commemorates Niki Day with a huge military parade on May 9th.

Some other states of the former Eastern Bloc, from Belarus to Bosnia and Herzegovina, continue to celebrate Nike Day on 9 May. Many, however, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, have gone to the eighth day since they regained their independence, choosing not to celebrate the date they fell under Soviet control.