The 16th Armored Division of the US Army is building its camp in Křižíkovy Sady

Preparations for this year's Liberation Festival are in full swing, and Pilsen's Křižíkovy sady are currently transforming into a scene of living history. The first symbol of the upcoming celebrations was the arrival of the legendary Sherman tank, named after George Thompson, a war veteran of the 16th Armored Division of the US Army. This division, under the auspices of the military history club of the same name, is building a period camp here, which will offer visitors a unique insight into the everyday life of American units in the days of liberation. Two hundred participants in period uniforms will participate in this authentic camp, who will ensure a faithful atmosphere of 1945.

The heart of the entire camp will be a parade of dozens of pieces of original American military equipment from the Second World War, including various vehicles from light armored vehicles to heavy machinery, workshop vehicles and transport vehicles. However, the camp is not designed solely as a static exhibition. Its main goal is to present the complex logistical facilities of the army, and therefore visitors will have the opportunity to look into a fully functioning field kitchen or watch the maintenance and repair of vehicles in field workshops right before their eyes.

The period atmosphere in the gardens will be completed by detailed military quarters for men and officers, a military police station and other necessary equipment that accompanied the soldiers on their journey through Europe. Visitors will be able to explore real life in field conditions and learn more about the history of the unit that has indelibly written itself into the history of the liberation of the city of Pilsen. This unique campsite in Křižíkovy sady will be open to the public from Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 4, with the gates open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.