80 years ago, Overijssel was liberated under the command of Canadian troops. To keep the memory of this alive and to pass it on to future generations, there was a special memorial ceremony at the Canadian Cemetery in Holten on October 13, 2025. With the unveiling of a remarkable monument, a long-distance walking route has been launched in Overijssel.

With this 'Vector of Memory', Overijssel is officially part of the Liberation Route Europe. More than 10,000 km of walking routes to museums, monuments, rest areas and other places across Europe that recall the last phase of the Second World War. The “Canadian Trail” follows Canadians' tracks from the beaches in Normandy through France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Overijssel is about 450 kilometers with 3 long-distance walking routes, 100 stories and 5 circular walks.

Are you following in the footsteps of our liberators? All information can be found at www.liberationroute.com, complete with a dynamic map, web app and route planner. There is no physical signage. Special story locations have a “Vectors of Memory”, including the Holten Canadian Cemetery and our information center.

The Jacobus Fruytier school community in Rijssen has adopted the monument and will consciously reflect on it with a group of students every year.