Annual celebrations of anniversary of end of WWII start in Plzeň

Celebrations of the 77th anniversary of end of World War II begin in Plzeň on Thursday. Three US and two Belgian veterans of the liberation of the West Bohemian city will take part in the commemorations, which are due to run until Sunday and expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.

Plzeň is the only city in Europe which organises such large celebrations, including the attendance of American vets, every year, a spokesperson told the Czech News Agency.

The US Army liberated West Bohemia on May 5 but the liberation of Prague was left to the Soviets, who arrived some days later.