NORMANDY, France (CelebrityAccess) A Netherland-based company is planning to produce a massive live concert on the beach of Normandy, France, next year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing of World War II, but the concept does not sit well with everyone.
The festival, Liberty Concert Normandy, is scheduled to be held June 6 on Sword Beach with an anticipated attendance of 75,000, and a $90 ticket price, according to Sky News. Organizer Liberty Concerts expects the event will educate millennials about the start of liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation and, on said on the event’s website that the location at the beach “looks out over the sea where the fight for peace began.”
“The concert starts with films, parachutists and stories about the landing,” the statement reads. “The stage is then handed to several international top artists and DJs. With the slogan ‘Fight for Freedom’ the 75,000 people present and the millions of viewers (via TV and streaming) are asked to stand up for peace, freedom and an inclusive society.”
Veterans will be invited for free and will get to view the festival in the VIP area, plus some “will also be on stage to say or do something shortly.”
Sword Beach was the Eastern-most landing of the D-Day invasion and was secured quickly, mostly by British troops. More than 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded or went missing during the Battle of Normandy.
Because the festival is expected to take place on the actual site of a battlefield, some veterans and their families have found it inappropriate with some starting an online petitions with nearly 3,000 signatures at press time.
“When I found out about the concert I was horrified really, to think that on 6 June, the anniversary of D-Day, so many troops died on the beaches. Not only British troops, but Canadians, French, Americans, Dutch and other nationalities died on those beaches,” 95-year-old veteran Joe Cattini told Sky News. “The beaches are, on that day of all days, sacred. They shouldn’t be violated by pop concerts.”
Meanwhile, Dame Vera Lynn, 101, a singer known as “The Forces’ Sweetheart,” has cut ties with the organizers, with her daughter telling the Telegraph that her mother had “no idea” what kind of event she had originally signed up for.
However, organizers appear to be comfortable with their concept, saying online, “We believe the best way to share the powerful legacy of sacrifice is by bringing young people near to the place where this history happened, as it creates an unforgettable moment in their lives. We think the symbolic function of this day and this beach helps to touch the hearts of millions of people.”
“We aim to organize a meaningful and informative concert, with all kinds of music. Artists have songs with a message about freedom and peace. On screens we will project images of what happened. Large parts of the concert will be with classical music or other modest music. We also aim for moments of silence, reflecting sing-alongs and even prayers.”
