#Exposition - Pays-Bas
Six outdoor exhibitions showing personal stories from the Second World War
4/10/2025
4/10/2026
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. To draw attention to this special milestone, the project Choice Freedom, a series of six outdoor exhibitions in six different towns in the Rivierengebied: Bemmel, Elst, Ommeren, Opheusden, Tiel and Wamel, opens on 10 April 2025. Choice Freedom brings to life poignant personal stories from the Second World War. During the war years, the Rivierengebied was the scene of fierce fighting, forced choices and great uncertainty. Behind every choice was a story: of courage and resistance, of survival and loss, of cooperation and trust. Choice Freedom lets the voices of residents from that time be heard and places their experiences in a current context.
Six locations with personal stories.
Each outdoor exhibition focuses on personal stories of residents of that location, told through images, text and historical sources. Visitors are taken into the dilemmas that residents faced during wartime and have the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of freedom and choices today.
Opening on 10 April 2025
The official opening of Freedom of Choice will take place on 10 April 2025. All six locations will be opened that day, starting in Tiel. During this opening, speakers, relatives and those involved will put the stories of the time into perspective. After the opening, the exhibitions will remain open to the public free of charge for the next few years
The Freedom of Choice project is part of 80 Years of Freedom Gelderland, a broad programme of commemorations, activities and exhibitions that reflect on the liberation of the Netherlands and the lasting value of freedom.
More information
For more information about Choice Freedom, the exhibition locations and the programme of 80 Years of Freedom Gelderland, please visit wo2rivierengebied.nl. This portal can be visited after the outdoor exhibitions open, from 10 April 2025.