Coventry joins together for VE Day commemoration

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Lantern lit at Coventry's VE Day commemorations

John Bray

BBC News, Coventry

8 hours ago

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.

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Several Coventry residents attended the event dressed in 1940s outfits
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Re-enactors mingled with Coventrians to bring a taste of the 1940s to the event
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On parade, a re-enactor in military officer uniform spent the evening chatting to people at the Coventry street party
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A re-enactor playing the role of a World War Two spiv, looking to sell items that were scarce during the conflict
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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."

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As day turned to night, the crowds were entertained on stage in Coventry by The Satin Dollz
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The Satin Dollz performed a number of wartime songs
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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."

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Two stilt-walkers entered into the spirit of the event with red, white and blue outfits
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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

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Coventry joins together for VE Day commemoration

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