Liberians in Europe are preparing to honor their country’s 162nd independence anniversary, which falls on July 26, with a full blast.In Sweden, the festivities, which will be graced by Liberia’s Commercial and Cultural Attaché in the country, Mrs. Ida Roberts Johansson, are being organized by the Liberia Swedish Association, headed by Francis Mensah.

In a release to Nordic Africa News recently, the association, whose protocol chief is Germaine Verdier, notes that the celebrations will be held on Saturday, July 25; kicking off with a football duel pitching a Liberian selection against their counterparts from DR Congo.

The game will be honored at the Södertälje Football Pitch, just south of the Swedish capital, Stockholm, and begins at 1pm. Off-field activitieswill include a grilling of meat while an assortment of food will available for a small price.The main gig follows later in the evening with a party at Rågsved Centrum in Stockholm. From 21:00 to 5:00, Liberian DJ Peters and a special guest DJ will hit the celebrants with the best of music- ranging from Afro beat, Dance hall, Reggae, R&B, Hip-Hop, Sosa, Raggaeton, Latin beats, etcetera. Liberia’s own (Sweden-based )Michael Jackson, Kinderick Thompson, will put up a show.

In Britain, The Union of Liberian Organizations in the United Kingdom and the Liberian Embassy in London are collaborating with The Liberian Association of Northampton to package a splendid independence gala on the same day. The celebrations there will also commence with a football match at Lingswood Park in Northampton and climax with a formal program at the Rainbow Center in the same city.

From 7pm, attendees will be thrilled by performances from the Liberian National Cultural Troupe and the Liberian National Band. Popular Liberian artists King O’Brian and Harry E together with Ghana’s Sammy Wright will guest star. The organizers also noted that a Queen Contest will be held with contestants drawn from Sheffield, Crawley, London and Northampton. Liberians living in Holland are also planning a grand picnic in Amsterdam to mark the occasion. Reports note that events are also planned in Belgium and Germany.