Coventry joins together for VE Day commemoration

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

This video can not be played

Lantern lit at Coventry's VE Day commemorations

John Bray

BBC News, Coventry

9 May 2025

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.

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
Several Coventry residents attended the event dressed in 1940s outfits
Image caption,
Re-enactors mingled with Coventrians to bring a taste of the 1940s to the event
Image caption,
On parade, a re-enactor in military officer uniform spent the evening chatting to people at the Coventry street party
Image caption,
A re-enactor playing the role of a World War Two spiv, looking to sell items that were scarce during the conflict
Image caption,
The evening's entertainment was opened by singer Ruth Kelly with a series of wartime songs

"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."

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
As day turned to night, the crowds were entertained on stage in Coventry by The Satin Dollz
Image caption,
The Satin Dollz performed a number of wartime songs
Image caption,
The crowds joined in with a rendition of wartime favourite We'll Meet Again

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."

This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Skip X post by BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
Two stilt-walkers entered into the spirit of the event with red, white and blue outfits
Image caption,
Large crowds had gathered in Broadgate for the event with one woman draped in the flag of Ukraine
Image caption,
Coventry's Mayor, councillor Mal Mutton, left, and her sister Margaret, the city's lady mayoress, met up with a former serviceman during the street party

Get in touch

Tell us which stories we should cover in Warwickshire

Contact form

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external.

Coventry joins together for VE Day commemoration

Get in touch

Related topics

See also

Related internet links