Monaco is preparing to honour the 81st anniversary of its Liberation with a solemn ceremony on Wednesday, September 3, at 16:30 at the Monaco Cemetery. The annual commemoration pays tribute not only to the liberation of the Principality during the Second World War but also to the bravery of those who fought to secure its freedom.
The remembrance event, organised by the Town Hall in cooperation with local patriotic associations, will feature the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial and on the graves of two celebrated Monegasque Resistance figures, René Borghini and Joseph Lajoux. Both men played pivotal roles in resisting Nazi occupation and their sacrifice remains a cornerstone of Monaco’s wartime history.
The ceremony will include a prayer for the fallen, the solemn ringing of bells across the Principality, a minute of silence, and a prayer for peace, followed by the performance of the Monegasque and French national anthems by the Municipal Band under the direction of Pierre Proust.
The Liberation of Monaco, which took place in September 1944, marked the end of a dark chapter for the Principality and the beginning of its post-war recovery. Each year, the anniversary serves as a reminder of the enduring values of freedom, resilience, and solidarity that emerged from that period.
Patriotic societies, veterans’ groups, and members of the public are encouraged to attend. Those wishing to participate formally in the ceremony are invited to contact the Town Hall’s Protocol Officer at Protocole@mairie.mc for further details.
