May 2025
On Thursday 8 May 2025 hundreds of people from across Milton Keynes came together at The MK Rose to commemorate VE80 and mark the historic 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The programme for the evening was a poignant mix of celebration and reflection. There was wonderful music and singing provided by the Alina Orchestra and Choral Nova, and dance performances by The Ukrainian Appeal and The African Diaspora Foundation Republic Dance Group. The communal lighting to mark out VE80 at the Rose and the lighting of the Light Pyramid were moments to contemplate the joy and sadness of victory at the ending of the war in Europe and a reminder of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. We were joined by the Mayor of Milton Keynes, The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire and representatives from the community in Milton Keynes.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this such a successful evening.