In May 1945, World War II ended in Europe, bringing an end to the terror regime of National Socialism. Eighty years later, the Elbe-Röder-Dreieck remembers this time with a series of commemorative events. The final days of the war were marked by immense suffering and violence. Until the very end, thousands of forced laborers were subjected to exhausting labor, particularly on farms and in the steel industry. At the same time, death marches passed through the region, accompanied by atrocities such as mass executions and targeted killings.Due to its strategic location along the Elbe River, the Elbe-Röder-Dreieck became a focal point in the war’s final days. As the Red Army advanced, countless refugees sought to cross the river. A tragic moment occurred on April 22, 1945, when the Elbe Bridge between Strehla and Lorenzkirch was destroyed. Shortly after, on April 23, 1945, the prisoner-of-war camp in Zeithain was liberated. On April 25, soldiers of the U.S. Army and the Red Army met for the first time in Strehla, Lorenzkirch, and Kreinitz—a moment that remains largely unknown today, while the later meeting in Torgau entered world history.Program Overview – 80 Years Since the End of the War<ul><li>Sunday, April 13, 2025 / 10:00 AM – 12:45 PM: Bus tour: The End of the War Along the Elbe</li><li>Thursday, April 17, 2025 / 4:00 PM: Commemoration of the Murdered Concentration Camp Prisoners in Koselitz</li><li>Saturday, April 19, 2025 / 2:00 PM: Commemorative Event in Glaubitz (Death March from Leipzig)</li><li>Wednesday, April 23, 2025 / 10:30 AM / 11:15 AM: Commemoration Ceremony – Liberation of the STALAG IV B Prisoner-of-War Camp in Mühlberg/Elbe</li><li>Wednesday, April 23, 2025 / 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Commemoration Ceremony – Liberation of the Prisoner-of-War Camp in Zeithain</li><li>Thursday, April 24, 2025 / 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Bus Tour to Key Historical Sites in the region</li><li>Friday, April 25, 2025 / 1:50 PM – 6:00 PM: 80th Anniversary – Day of Encounter at the Elbe (Lorenzkirch &amp; Strehla)</li><li>Friday, April 25, 2025 / 5:30 PM: Commemoration Ceremony in Kreinitz</li><li>Tuesday, April 29, 2025 / 5:00 PM: Kriegssplitter: Kriegsende im Raum Riesa – Zeithain (Lecture in German)</li><li>Tuesday, May 6, 2025 / 6:00 PM: Kriegssplitter: Das Kriegsende im Raum Riesa-Großenhain vor 80 Jahren (Lecture in German)</li></ul>Some events require registration. Please check <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.elbe-roeder.de/80jahre">www.elbe-roeder.de/80jahre</a> for details (in German).For inquiries: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:steuer@elbe-roeder.de">steuer@elbe-roeder.de</a>

Germany

80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Elbe-Röder-Dreieck

The event at BERLIN GLOBAL is dedicated to the diverse forms of remembering and forgetting. Through a lecture, film, and reading, artist Anna Krenz, activist Margitta Steinbach, and cabaret performer Sigrid Grajek explore visible and invisible biographies and fates, focusing on both individual and collective perspectives. In a concluding discussion between Anna Krenz, Margitta Steinbach, Sigrid Grajek, Raimund Wolfert (Magnus Hirschfeld Society), and moderator Shelly Kupferberg, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts. The evening is conceived as a collection of impulses – independent and standing side by side. We warmly invite you to be part of this mosaic of remembrance. Author and journalist Shelly Kupferberg will guide you through the evening.

In/visible! 80 Years after World War II

<h4 style="text-align: start">Bicycle tour: From Tempelhof Airport to Karlshorst – The Allies’ route to the signing of the capitulation</h4>On 8 May 1945, the delegations of the victorious powers and the German Wehrmacht landed at Tempelhof Airport to sign the surrender. From there, they travelled through the destroyed city of Berlin to the eastern district of Karlshorst. The surrender was to take place in the Soviet headquarters, a former Wehrmacht officers’ mess.A bicycle tour of around 15 kilometres follows this historic route. During an introduction at the starting point, participants can learn more about the history of the end of the war in Berlin at the time. A route map provides in-depth information on interesting points along the way.Start time: 10 amMeeting point: Platz der Luftbrücke 5 / forecourt of the former departure hall of Tempelhof AirportRegistration is required at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:kontakt@museum-karlshorst.de">kontakt@museum-karlshorst.de</a>. The number of participants is limited.<h4 style="text-align: start">Opening of the photo exhibition ‘The last year of the war. June 1944-May 1945 from the perspective of Soviet war photographers’ 11 am</h4>Photo correspondents from the various Soviet republics captured the advance of the Red Army in pictures. In the exhibition, more than 50 photographs document this route at different sections of the front – from Karelia via Estonia and Lithuania, Belarus and the Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Serbia, East Prussia, Hungary, Austria and Czechoslovakia to the east of the German Reich. They show destruction and human suffering, the Majdanek concentration and extermination camp liberated by the Red Army, the march of German prisoners of war through Moscow, as well as the successive ends of the war in Bucharest, Belgrade, Katowice, Budapest, Königsberg and Danzig.The photographs of the surrender of the Wehrmacht in Berlin-Karlshorst, the victory celebrations in Leningrad and Prague and the meeting of American and Soviet soldiers and officers mark the end of the Second World War in Europe in the exhibition.<h4 style="text-align: start">Commented film screening in the cinema – The signing of the capitulation in historical film footage 12.30 pm / 3.30 pm / 5 pm</h4>Correspondents from various countries reported on the signing of the capitulation on 8 May in Berlin-Karlshorst. The journalistic documentation of the day using photos and film footage is rich in detail. It begins, for example, with the arrival of the delegations of the victorious powers at Tempelhof Airport or accompanies their journey to Karlshorst through the destroyed city of Berlin.<h4 style="text-align: start">Short guided tours on the historic site of the surrender on 8 May 1945</h4>Guided tours in German: 10 am / 11 am / 2.30 pm / 4.30 pm / 6 pm Guided tours in English: 1 pm / 3.30 pm / 5.30 pm Guided tour in Russian: 12 noon / 3 pm / 5 pm Guided tour in Ukrainian: 2 pm / 4 pmIt is not necessary to book in advance to take part in the guided tour.<h4 style="text-align: start">New presentation of the exhibition ‘The German surrender in May 1945’ 10 am – 7 pm</h4>To mark the 80th anniversary, the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst has revised the special exhibition ‘The German Surrender in May 1945’. It is being presented in a new form in the museum garden. It examines the historical events surrounding the end of the war in Europe and Germany’s unconditional surrender.<h4 style="text-align: start">Opinions on the tank memorial – talks with museum staff on the history and meaning of Soviet monuments 10 am – 6 pm</h4>The tank memorial on the grounds of the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst is one of many Soviet monuments in Germany. Their role and perception today is multifaceted. In conversation with museum staff, visitors have the opportunity to discuss the role of such monuments in the European culture of remembrance and learn about different perspectives.<h4 style="text-align: start">Reading café – The end of the war in Europe in international newspapers 10 am -6.30 pm</h4>The news of the capitulation of the German Reich travelled around the world. Historical newspapers and magazines bear witness to this event. In the reading café – in the museum’s winter garden – visitors are invited to look through international press products over coffee and cake.<h4 style="text-align: start">Evening event: The commemoration of 8 May. The changing role of the Berlin-Karlshorst Museum 7 pm</h4>With: Prof Dr Thomas Sandkühler (Humboldt University of Berlin) Dr Gintarė Malinauskaitė (Lithuanian Institute of History, Vilnius) Dr Jörg Morré (Museum Berlin-Karlshorst) Moderation: Ingo Hoppe (radio journalist, Berlin)To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst is holding a discussion event to examine the significance of 8 May. The way in which this date is perceived and commemorated has changed over the decades – characterised by social, political and cultural developments. These changes not only influence the collective remembrance of the end of the war, but also the role of the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst.The event is focusing on the development of commemorative practices, the significance of the museum and the changing perspectives on the end of the war. What challenges arise today for a diverse culture of remembrance? And what impulses can the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst provide in the current debate?To attend the evening lecture, please register at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:kontakt@museum-karlshorst.de">kontakt@museum-karlshorst.de</a>. The number of places is limited.

80 years – End of the Second World War in Europe

In the context of the 80th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we are planning the creation of a historical walk with memorial sites of the settlement of Kato Ampelokipi that connect them with the history of the Second World War. In particular, an anniversary map will be created that will be placed at the entrance of the settlement and will capture memorial sites with short stories of the Second World War, while at each of these points there will be special markings, so that the visitor, through a historical walk , to explore unknown stories 80 years later. The anniversary project will be launched on May 9, 2025 as part of the "Victory Day" celebrations in Europe.

Historical walk

Martin tower Liberation routesThe Martinus tower in the small town of Gennep is a permanent reminder of WW2 and lets us know that peace and freedom cannot be taken for granted. It is the only tower on the Meuse River from Mook to Roermond that survived the war. When retreating behind the Meuse, the Wehrmacht blew up the church towers on the left bank of the Meuse and placed lookouts in the towers on the right bank of the Meuse. These towers were then smashed by Allied artillery. All but one: the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower">Gennep's Martinus tower</a>.The tower was on the front line from September 1944 to February 1945. Had one been in the spire in September 1944, one would have seen thousands of paratroopers and hundreds of Gliders land over neighbouring Groesbeek as part of Operation Market Garden. On 8 February, the front moved again. More than 1,000 guns shelled the neighbouring Reichswald forest and one could have watched from the tower as a roller of steel and fire swept across the great forest. Operation Veritable, the last major battle on the western front, had begun.Today, the Martinus Tower is a visitor centre with many reminders of this time. In particular, the Martinus Tower Liberation Routes, with starting and finishing points at the Martinus Tower, show the numerous traces of the tough battle in the region. The routes include the largest and second largest war museums in the Netherlands (Overloon and Groesbeek). The British Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Kriegsgräberstätte Donsbrügen, among others, are located in and near the Reichswald. The routes pass numerous monuments and ruins and 14 audio spots/listening boulders tell the special stories at these locations.The 8 Martinustoren Liberation Routes can be found on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route">Martinustoren website</a>. On the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom">Liberation Route website</a>, one can find another special route: Gennep and the price of freedom.The routes go through 4 beautiful Natura 2000 landscapes: the St Jansberg, the Reichswald, the Maasduinen and the Maasheggen.Entry to the Martinustoren visitor centre is free.&nbsp;Gennep's Martinus tower<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower">https://www.liberationroute.com/pois/787/martinus-tower</a>Martin tower Liberation routes<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route">https://martinustoren.nl/en/liberation-route</a>Gennep and the price of freedom<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom">https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/12/gennep-and-the-price-of-freedom</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Netherlands

Martin tower Liberation routes

„Eine Gelegenheit über die großen Hoffnungen der Welt nachzudenken: über Freiheit, Gleichheit, Brüderlichkeit – und Schwesterlichkeit.“ So beschreibt Esther Bejarano, Überlebende der Konzentrationslager Auschwitz und Ravensbrück, den 8. Mai und fordert, diesen Tag zu einem festen Gedenktag in Deutschland zu machen. Am 80. Jahrestag des Kriegsendes und der Befreiung von der NS-Diktatur blicken wir entlang ausgewählter Wendepunkte der deutschen Geschichte auf Ereignisse und historische Möglichkeiten, die in Zusammenhang mit diesen Menschheitshoffnungen stehen.

Der 8. Mai 1945 – Mahnung zu Frieden und Freiheit

Moment 1: Commemorating and celebrating the liberation of the southern Netherlands12 September marks the start of the national celebration of 80 years of freedom. On this day in 1944, the liberation of the Netherlands began in Mesch in Limburg. Zeeland, Brabant and part of Gelderland soon followed. The liberation was accompanied by fierce fighting, many casualties and a winter of famine. Eventually, the whole of the Netherlands was liberated on 5 May 1945. A few months later, on 15 August of that same year, World War II came to an end in what was then the Dutch East Indies and thus the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 2024 and 2025, we will celebrate and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and the fact that we have been living in freedom since the end of World War II.&nbsp;Moment 2: Commemorating the HolocaustDuring World War II (1940-1945), the Nazis murdered nearly 6 million Jews. They also persecuted and murdered Roma and Sinti, Jehovah’s Witnesses, people with physical or mental disabilities, homosexuals and political opponents. In January, we reflect on these victims.&nbsp;We commemorate their persecution and murder 80 years ago. We will do so on 26 January, during the National Holocaust Remembrance Day in Amsterdam, as well as on other occasions.&nbsp;Moment 3: Commemorating and celebrating the liberation of the east and north of the NetherlandsEighty years ago, in April 1945, allied soldiers advanced towards the north and east of the Netherlands to also liberate the provinces of South Holland, North Holland, Utrecht, Overijssel, Drenthe, Friesland and Groningen. While the south of the Netherlands had already been liberated, the occupied part of the country had to endure a long, hard winter of famine. Partly with the help of the resistance, mainly Canadian soldiers managed to liberate large parts of the country.&nbsp;Moment 4: National Remembrance and Liberation Celebration on 4 and 5 MayEvey year during the National Remembrance Day on 4 May, we remember the victims of World War II and of war situations and peacekeeping operations thereafter. At 8pm, there will be a 2-minute moment of silence throughout the Netherlands. On 5 May, we celebrate the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945 and the fact that we have been living in freedom ever since.&nbsp;On that day, we also reflect on the value of freedom, democracy and human rights.&nbsp;Moment 5: Commemorating and celebrating the end of World War IIOn 15 August, we remember the end of World War II for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and commemorate all the victims of the war against Japan and the Japanese occupation of the then Dutch East Indies. These wartime experiences and the large-scale displacement that followed after liberation continue to affect our society to this day.

80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Elbe-Röder-Dreieck

In/visible! 80 Years after World War II

80 years – End of the Second World War in Europe

Historical walk

Martin tower Liberation routes

Der 8. Mai 1945 – Mahnung zu Frieden und Freiheit

80 years of freedom in 5 moments

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80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Elbe-Röder-Dreieck

In/visible! 80 Years after World War II

80 years – End of the Second World War in Europe

Historical walk

Martin tower Liberation routes

Der 8. Mai 1945 – Mahnung zu Frieden und Freiheit

80 years of freedom in 5 moments

Inscrivez votre événement sur Europe Remembers