A Transnational Journey of Canadian Liberation in World War II
For Freedom Museum is proud to be a partner of the Interreg NWE-supported project Retracing the Footsteps: A Transnational Journey of Canadian Liberation in WWII (REFOOT). Within this project, a unique Canadian Trail is being developed that runs through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
This remarkable path follows the footsteps of Canadian soldiers who liberated Europe during the Second World War. Their role in the liberation of Northwest Europe is often underestimated, even though their contribution was invaluable. The Canadian Trail connects their stories with the historical sites, allowing visitors today to discover, in an inspiring and sustainable way, the impact these soldiers had.
The Canadian Trail is part of the Liberation Route Europe, an official cultural route of the Council of Europe. This route connects people, places, and events related to the liberation of Europe, inviting reflection on the consequences and stories of the war. With hundreds of locations across nine countries, the route follows the advance of the Allied forces from 1943 to 1945. The LRE Foundation is the initiator of this international project.
The REFOOT project began in 2023, when the LRE Foundation received funding to carry out this eighteen-month initiative. Its goal is to promote sustainable tourism and keep Europe’s shared memory alive. At the same time, the project helps to strengthen cultural understanding and remembrance in Northwest Europe. Ultimately, the Canadian Trail will form a tangible link between monuments and sites that commemorate the Canadian liberators — bringing our shared European history closer in an accessible way.
👉 Follow the latest developments of the REFOOT project via: https://www.nweurope.eu/
About Interreg North-West Europe
Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) is a European cooperation programme focused on achieving strong and balanced development across the region. It aims to contribute to a better quality of life and greater well-being for all inhabitants of North-West Europe.
Since the Industrial Revolution, the area has played a leading role in Europe’s economic growth. However, this progress has also had its downsides: environmental damage, social inequality, and significant disparities between regions. Interreg NWE therefore supports initiatives that contribute to a sustainable, smart, and fair future. The current programme (2021–2027) seeks to promote a green, innovative, and just transition, helping all regions to become stronger and more resilient.
Partners
