At the Freedom Museum, visitors of all ages can experience the story of the Second World War and the liberation, set against the backdrop of 20th-century history and current affairs. This story illustrates how we lost our freedom, fought for it, regained it, and must continue to safeguard it. It explores a range of perspectives; there is never just one story. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on the theme of ‘freedom’ for themselves. What does this mean today, in this day and age? What threatens freedom and how can we protect it?Bookings can be made via the website. Be quick, as places are limited. After the guided tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the temporary exhibition, the museum café or the shop.

The Netherlands

Highlight Tours

The exhibition covers the period from the mid-17th century, when a sandbank known as the Western Bank formed at the mouth of the Vistula River, to mid-1941, when the Westerplatte branch of the German Stutthof concentration camp for civilian prisoners was closed.The location of the exhibition is not coincidental – it is the historic former Power Plant building of the Polish Military Transit Depot, renovated and arranged for exhibition purposes. The exhibition features the archaeological discoveries related to the site, the everyday life of the depot, the difficult and responsible service of Polish soldiers in the face of growing hatred of the Germans towards Polish presence in the area of the Free City of Gdańsk, and the camp for Polish civilian prisoners set up by the Germans after the seven-day battle (1–7 September 1939). The curators aim to make visitors aware that Westerplatte is not only a peninsula heroically defended by a small unit of Polish soldiers, but also the site of German crimes against Polish civilians. The exhibition also intends to highlight the symbolic significance of Westerplatte as the place where the Second World War began.Start your visit at Westerplatte with the Visitor Centre [Centrum Obsługi Zwiedzających ‘Pole Bitwy Westerplatte’]. At the information desk, you will obtain information related to the history of Westerplatte. Assistance in planning the route, finding a guide and information will help discover the monuments in the area. The building overlooking the sea provides visitors with a rest stop. It is adapted for people with disabilities.

Poland

Exhibition ‘Memory buried beneath the surface. Archaeology of Westerplatte’

Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín, a profoundly moving multimedia concert-drama, combines the magnificent music of Verdi with video testimonials and narration, to tell the story of the courageous Jewish prisoners in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp (Terezín) who performed the celebrated Verdi Requiem while experiencing the depths of human degradation. With only a smuggled score, they performed the famous oratorio 16 times, including one performance before senior SS officials from Berlin and an International Red Cross delegation. Conductor Rafael Schächter told the choir: “We will sing to the Nazis what we cannot say to them.” Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín features a full performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem, video testimony from survivors of the original chorus, segments of the Nazi propaganda film made at Terezín in 1944, and actors to relay the impassioned story of how and why these Jewish prisoners, who faced death every day, chose to learn and perform a Latin, Catholic mass during their darkest hours.

France

Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin

The exhibition “My Childhood, 1939-1945” explores the daily lives of French and Canadian children during the Second World War and the war’s impact on civilian populations, particularly on youth.How did youth navigate this era, how were they transformed by the war, and how, for French children, did they experience the Occupation, the liberation, the battles, and the post-war reconstruction?Through immersive modules and testimonies, the exhibition compares the realities of the Occupation in France and the impact of the war on children in Canada.Visitors will better understand how childhoods were disrupted, their adaptations to new daily routines and how they experienced grief, gratitude toward Canadian soldiers, and regained freedom.The stories will be presented through several key themes:<ul><li>The Weight of Occupation (1940–1944) at school and at home</li><li>D-Day (June 6, 1944)</li><li>The Battle of Normandy (June–September 1944)</li><li>Liberation and the scars of war (1944 to today)</li><li>The “absences” experienced by French and Canadian children</li></ul>Learn more here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.junobeach.org/exhibitions/my-childhood-1939-1945/">https://www.junobeach.org/exhibitions/my-childhood-1939-1945/</a>

Exhibition: "My childhood, 1939-1945" at Juno Beach Centre

The Freedom Ride is the ultimate cycling liberation festival. This year marks the 10th edition, where cycling enthusiasts gather in Arnhem to ride past historic sites connected to our wartime history.&nbsp;Cyclists can choose the peloton ride of 115 km or one of the open tours of 70, 110, or 150 km, all starting from Arnhem. For other cycling enthusiasts, there is a recreational ride of 40 km, also starting from Arnhem. Additionally, there is the Rabo Dikke Banden Race, so children can also take part in the Freedom Ride. Participation for kids is free.&nbsp;List of organising organisations:&nbsp;<ul><li>Central Events&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Stichting Sportevenementen Nederland&nbsp;</li></ul>Initiators:&nbsp;<ul><li>Liberation Route Europe&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Stichting Waardering Erkenning Politie&nbsp;</li></ul>Website:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW226282460 BCX8" href="http://www.freedom-ride.nl/"> </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.freedom-ride.nl">www.freedom-ride.nl</a>&nbsp;

Freedom Ride - Join the 10th edition in Arnhem!

Half-marathon across both banks of the Meuse between the bridges at Grave and Heumen, which were of great importance during World War II. Entry fee: €15.00.

Bridge2Bridgerun

MUSEUM SCHUILEN IN MAASTRICHT…weer geopend in 2026Ga mee!…… en maak een stap naar beneden, terug in de tijd! Bezoek een uniek museum onder in de eeuwenoude kazematten van Maastricht. Het Schuilkeldermuseum bevindt zich op een plek waar ook daadwerkelijk werd geschuild, tijdens WOII en schuilervaringen zijn vastgelegd. U voelt meteen de sfeer zoals deze was in 1940-1945, wanneer er een ernstige dreiging uit de lucht kon vallen. In het museum vindt u in de vitrines herinneringen aan de Tweede Wereldoorlog en de inrichting voor de Koude Oorlog, na WOII. Er zijn vrijwilligers, die u de weg wijzen. Ga terug in de geschiedenis en laat ook jonge bezoekers zien hoe actueel een Schuilkelder kan zijn, in het onrustige Europa van dit moment. Uniek is dat het museum verscholen ligt onder een woonwijk. Tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog groeven de bewoners ook via zelf gegraven gangen, onder in hun kelders of tuin, een weg naar beneden, naar de Schuilkelder. Onze werkgroep heeft nauwe banden onderhouden met de mensen die hier daadwerkelijk geschuild hebben.&nbsp;Openingstijd:14.00 uur - 16.00 uurToegang is gratis.<h2>Openingstijden 2026</h2><ul><li>15-03-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>19-04-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>17-05-26 :14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>21-06-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>19-07-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>16-08-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>20-09-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>18-10-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>15-11-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur</li><li>13-12-26:14.00 - 16.00 uur&nbsp;</li></ul>Museum informatieLOCATIE: SchuilkeldermuseumMinister Goeman Borgesiusplantsoen 306214 SE&nbsp; Maastricht&nbsp;Meer informatie &gt; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.schuileninmaastricht.com">www.schuileninmaastricht.com</a>E-mail &gt; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:info@schuileninmaastricht.com">info@schuileninmaastricht.com</a>Facebook&gt; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/schuileninmaastricht">www.facebook.com/schuileninmaastricht</a>&nbsp;

Highlight Tours

Exhibition ‘Memory buried beneath the surface. Archaeology of Westerplatte’

Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin

Highlight Tours

Exhibition: "My childhood, 1939-1945" at Juno Beach Centre

Freedom Ride - Join the 10th edition in Arnhem!

Bridge2Bridgerun

Schuilkeldermuseum Maastricht

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Highlight Tours

Exhibition ‘Memory buried beneath the surface. Archaeology of Westerplatte’

Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin

Highlight Tours

Exhibition: "My childhood, 1939-1945" at Juno Beach Centre

Freedom Ride - Join the 10th edition in Arnhem!

Bridge2Bridgerun

Schuilkeldermuseum Maastricht

Register your event on Europe Remembers