Libraries across the country will have a central role in the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day, thanks to a £2 million investment by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to be managed by Arts Council England.

Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which takes place on 8 May, marks the Allied victory in Europe. It was a moment in history that led millions of people to come together to celebrate the end of the war, with street parties, dancing and singing right across the country. Victory over Japan (VJ) Day happened on 15 August and signalled an end to World War II.

As part of the DCMS investment, Future Arts Centres, the national network for arts centres, will be leading a programme of work under the title ‘Our Freedom: Then and Now’. Working across the UK with 40 arts centres and 20 libraries, in partnership with Libraries Connected, communities in each location will explore what the end of the war meant for them, working with artists to create public-facing events distinct to their place.

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: 

“Arts centres, museums and libraries play such an important role in our lives, right across the country, so it’s wonderful to invest £2 million in these anchors in our communities, on behalf of Government, to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day. The projects they will host in communities, will provide us with the opportunity to reflect and to remember, as part of the wider programme of commemorations that are planned.”

Isobel Hunter MBE, chief executive of Libraries Connected, said: 

“As shared spaces at the heart of their communities, public libraries have a long tradition of marking national events through local culture and creativity. Our Freedom: Then and Now is a valuable moment for libraries to join with their communities in paying tribute to the Second World War generation and reflecting on what this means for them now in their local area, across the UK and beyond. We’re looking forward to an inspiring programme of events, exhibitions and performances that connect communities and tell stories which resonate with people up and down the country.”