The relationship between love and war is intimate and as old as mankind. Under the threat of death, life and love are experienced much more intensely. World War II affected the love life of a whole generation of people. They - as always - got butterflies in their stomachs: in the air-raid shelter, in hiding, at the front or simply on the streets. The 'Love in wartime' exhibition, from 5 June 2024 to 30 March 2025, shows how people found each other under difficult circumstances. And how feelings can overcome everything. After all, what is 'right' or 'wrong' in love? In the 'Love in Wartime' exhibition, we see war from its most intimate, human side. From a boy who met his first boyfriend during forced labour in Germany to a newly married couple who survived Auschwitz, always looking for a sign that the other was still alive. These personal love stories often had major consequences, such as: the journey of thousands of wartime brides to and from the Netherlands, the at least as many children fathered by an Allied or German soldier, the persecution of homosexuals and large-scale paid love in the war years. Behind special curtains, adults can even peek into stories about wartime sex and admire vibrators from the 1940s.Love in Wartime is a unique exhibition that immerses visitors in the atmosphere of a cosy 1940s street with fully historically decorated rooms on either side. Behind one door is a living room, behind the other a hiding place or a café celebrating the liberation. This makes the exhibition an adventurous experience for young and old. The exhibition 'Love in wartime' is inspired by Steffie van den Oord's book of the same name, available in new print from 4 June 2024.The Freedom Museum shows the passionate story of love with unique masterpieces such as sheet music, diaries, love letters and wedding dresses. An intimate exhibition with never-before-seen material that will make your heart beat faster!

The Netherlands

Love in Wartime

<h3 style="text-align: start">Paradijs in de duinen</h3>De Terrorist is gelegen in de duinen van Ameland, op 20 meter van het strand. Hier kunnen na de oorlog de 'nagelaten betrekkingen' van gevallen verzetsstrijders gratis vakantie vieren. Het gaat om weduwen, kinderen en ouders van verzetsslachtoffers, maar ook om gezinnen die nog compleet zijn, maar psychisch of fysiek erg hebben geleden onder de oorlog. Er is plaats voor 25 personen per keer, twee weken per groep, van&nbsp;mei tot en met september. De gasten komen veelal uit Friesland, maar ook uit andere delen van het land zoals Rotterdam of Groningen. Het vakantiehuis is een initiatief van de&nbsp;Stichting Oud-KP, een vereniging voor voormalig leden van het gewapend verzet, de knokploegen (KP's). Met wat hulp van de burgemeester van Ameland, oud-verzetsman Roel&nbsp;Walda, kunnen vrijwilligers in vijf weken tijd een oude Duitse barak opknappen en ombouwen tot knus vakantieoord.<h3 style="text-align: start">Gratis krant: 'de terrorist'</h3>Voor deze tentoonstelling zijn bijzondere gesprekken gevoerd met voormalige gasten of hun nakomelingen. In een speciale krant zijn deze interviews te lezen. Ook is een hoorspel te horen, waardoor bezoekers als het ware teruggaan in de tijd, alsof zij toevallig een gesprek uit de woonkamer van De Terrorist opvangen.

De terrorist

Ils se prénomment Joseph, Nicole, Paulette, Rémy, Marguerite, Janine…..
Ils étaient âgés de 12, 15, 18 ans, 20 ans….
Ils étaient à Saint-Aubin, Bernières, Courseulles,  Douvres-la-Délivrande, le 6 juin 1944, lorsque les soldats canadiens débarquèrent sur la zone de Juno Beach  pour les libérer de l’occupation allemande. Ils étaient aussi à Carpiquet en juillet 1944 lors des combats pour la prise de l’aéroport.

80 ans après, dans le cadre des cérémonies commémoratives du Débarquement, l’association « La semaine acadienne » et l’association « Mémoire collective de Carpiquet » leur consacrent une exposition, dans la partie ouest de la célèbre maison des Canadiens à Bernières-sur-Mer, rachetée récemment par la communauté de communes Cœur de Nacre. 

Mêlant portraits au crayon réalisés par Jacques Doll, lui même présent le Jour J, à partir de documents d’époque, photos actuelles de Bernadette Taupy ainsi que Maryvonne Lépine, et témoignages, elle donne l’image et la parole à ces 72  témoins qui  n’ont jamais oublié ces jours synonymes de libération, mais aussi de souffrance. 
Des témoignages d’autant plus précieux que, malheureusement, les voix de la plupart de ces  témoins se sont aujourd’hui éteintes.

France

Exposition : "Ils ont vu le débarquement à Juno Beach et la libération de Carpiquet" / Festival la semaine acadienne

Dans le cadre du 80ème Anniversaire du Débarquement en Normandie, le service Archives &amp; Patrimoine de la ville d'ÉVREUX en collaboration avec la ville de Rüsselsheim (ville jumelle depuis 1961) vous propose une exposition qui retrace la Libération de la ville d‘Evreux et de Rüsselsheim et ses conséquences. Cette exposition présente également leur histoire croisée de cités ayant traversées les épreuves de la Seconde Guerre mondiale dans deux camps opposés mais qui ont rencontré par la suite, les mêmes problématiques. L’animation d’un cycle de conférences et séances de médiations scolaires autour de l’exposition est également prévue. Entrée Libre.

Libération, Reconstruction, Réconciliation (1944-1961)

Christo StefanoffChristo Stefanoff (1898-1966) was an internationally successful artist. He painted landscapes, religious works, war scenes and portraits of people, including stars such as Greta Garbo and royalty such as Queen Juliana. In 1934 he came to Poland, fell in love with the country and with the Polish Irena Pludowska. In 1938 he was naturalized as a Pole. After the German invasion in 1939 he became active in the Żegota, the Polish Council for Aid to Jews. In 1944 he was arrested, but survived two prisons and three German concentration camps.After his liberation in April 1945 from Bergen-Belsen he moved, like many displaced Poles, to the Polish enclave near Maczków. Here his talent was noticed. He taught drawing and painting and rose to become the court painter of the 1st Polish Armoured Division. On October 28, 1946, in the context of the second commemoration of the liberation of Breda, the large triptych he had painted was donated to the Municipality of Breda by the 1st Polish Armoured Division.During his years in Breda, Stefanoff was very active. He painted his most important works here, including his impressive series on the Warsaw Uprising. In 1947, he was involved in the founding of the Polish Catholic Association in Breda, of which he was also chairman.In 1952, he moved to Canada, with all the (unsold) work he had made in Breda. He died in 1966. Due to a theft shortly afterwards, his wife closed his studio and museum to the public until her own death in 2005. Her 76-year-old Polish nephew is now trying to manage the estate, but struggles with the burden. The old studio with Stefanoff's estate, with more than 150 of his original works, has therefore remained untouched to this day.The exhibitionThe exhibition was put together by Frans Wauters from Breda, who was born under a painting by Stefanoff and grew up among his works. Christo Stefanoff lived in Breda with his (grand)parents and paid for his board and lodging with his paintings. Frans has been doing research for more than 2 years and is the global expert on the life and work of Stefanoff.This exhibition shows the most important works about the Polish struggle that Stefanoff made in Breda. The exhibition also contains many original documents and photos from Stefanoff's time in Breda that were recently found by Frans Wauters in his old studio in Canada.The selected works emphasize "Peace and Freedom", values ​​that Stefanoff radiated in his life and work. These fit in well with the values ​​of the Maczek Memorial Breda. The courage of the Polish people during the Second World War, and the Polish armed forces in the liberation of Europe, are thus illuminated in a completely new way through Stefanoff's art.The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Breda (on 29 October) and the celebration of Polish Independence Day (on 11 November) both fall within the exhibition period.The exhibition is supported by a special catalogue in which Stefanoff's life and the works exhibited at this exhibition are described in detail.

Exposition “Christo Stefanoff, forgotten painter of War and Peace”

Taken by local photographer Matt Sills during the museum’s veteran event held on 3 June 2024 during the D-Day 80 commemorations.Free admission to the exhibition which will run until 18 January 2025.

United Kingdom

The lucky ones grow old

This exhibition reveals the full story: from isolation to extermination, captured in a rich collection of photographs, many never before seen. The images, captured by both professional photographers and courageous amateurs, document the harrowing reality of raids, the introduction of the Star of David, hiding activities, and the roles of perpetrators and bystanders.Historians Erik Somers and René Kok searched dozens of archives at home and abroad for this exhibition and the book of the same name. Their work reveals the complexity and impact of anti-Jewish measures in the Netherlands during World War II.The photographs on display not only show the brutality of the German occupation, but also highlight the help given to people in hiding, the daily life of Jews at the time, and the aftermath of the war with the return of the few survivors from the camps.This exhibition, previously shown at the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam, National Monument Kamp Vught and at Topographie des Terrors in Berlin, is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of World War II and the persecution of Jews.Visit the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bevrijdingsmuseumzeeland.nl/de-jodenvervolging-in-fotos-nederland-1940-1945/">Liberation Museum Zeeland</a> and be immersed in this powerful and educational experience

The persecution of the Jews in photographs. Netherlands 1940-1945 - Liberation Museum Zeeland

Les 1 et 8 décembre de 14h à 18h :Découvrez cette exposition des éditions du Lombard basée sur la BD à succès "Les Enfants de la Résistance" où François, Eusèbe et Lisa, tout juste âgés de 13 ans, n’ont pas l’intention de rester sans rien faire face à l’invasion allemande...L'exposition développe le thème de la résistance en général, mais aussi celle des enfants. Les cercles d’histoires et historiens de la région se sont attelés à développer des textes et récits sur la résistance dans nos communes.Elle abordera aussi, à renfort d’objets, un chapitre sur la vie quotidienne pendant la guerre.Au départ destinée au monde scolaire, nous avons décidé de l’ouvrir à un plus large public au travers d’un programme d’activités familiales, pour adultes et pour enfants seuls.Découvrez-les toutes dans la rubrique "évènements" des pages de la MCFA La Roche-Tenneville et Manhay-Erezée-Rendeux !Accès libre et gratuitEn partenariat avec Lire au fil de l'Ourthe

Belgium 

Expo 'Résistance(s)' à Rendeux

About the Mariatoren in HapertThe <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://schipvast.com/projecten/portfolio-view-uitkijktoren/">Mariatoren</a> is located in Hapert along the A67, within the Kempisch Business Park (KBP), a 69-hectare industrial estate at a unique location that meets all the conditions necessary for a business to thrive. The business park is a joint initiative of the municipalities of Bladel, Eersel, Bergeijk, and Reusel-De Mierden and is strategically situated in the successful Kempen region, the gateway to Brainport Eindhoven. The region is known for its advanced manufacturing industry, with the global player ASML located nearby, just about 14 kilometers from the tower. The tower also stands at an important logistical crossroads on the A67. This highway connects the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam with Germany and the rest of Europe.The Mariatoren is an initiative of SchipVast—the real estate branch of The Schippers Group—and the Kempisch Business Park. The tower is named after Maria Schippers, who, together with Martien Schippers, founded The Schippers Group. The tower is approximately 22 meters high and serves a dual purpose. In addition to functioning as an observation tower, it also serves as an information mast. On three large LED screens, each measuring 25 square meters, businesses and social organizations can broadcast advertising messages.Observation Function and Exhibition of Stories from the RegionThe Kempen region is known for its numerous walking, cycling, equestrian, and carriage routes, with several routes passing through the business park. The observation tower is connected to these recreational routes. From a height of approximately 22 meters, there is a view of the Kempisch Business Park, the highway, and the Cartierheide. As you climb the tower, information and stories about the region are presented on information panels with images, created in collaboration with local historical societies. Each year features a different theme. Each story also has a QR code that links to a video or website with more information about the featured story.World War II Theme in the Mariatoren from Liberation DayThis year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Kempen, as well as the rest of Brabant. It is a moment to reflect and realize that we are fortunate to live in freedom. Starting on Liberation Day, stories from that time in the Kempen can be read in the Mariatoren in Hapert, including stories about hiding and the resistance.Practical Information<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/8SadeLvyY4Fdxu9CA">The Mariatoren is located at exit 29 of the A67</a> and can be reached by bicycle and on foot from De Pan Hapert (the forest area to the west of the business park). You can also reach the tower by car from that side, but you must park at De Pan and walk through the forest to the tower. The tower is not wheelchair accessible. The tower is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and the entrance fee is €1 per person, payable contactless by card at the entrance. Half of the entrance proceeds go to the historical society, the organization that keeps the stories of the past alive. Google Maps recognizes the Mariatoren on its map;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mariatoren+Hapert/@51.3515264,5.2707213,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x47c6cfd41d14a23d:0x6b540a99bd6bf2a6!8m2!3d51.3515231!4d5.2732962!16s%2Fg%2F11kpdnk8jy?entry=tts"> click here for the link to Google Maps.</a>

Exhibition WWII stories from the Kempen in the Maria Tower Hapert

La vie de ces deux grands hommes montre de grandes similitudes : nés à quelques semaines d'écart, tous deux embrassent la carrière militaire, combattent puis deviennent Présidents de leur pays. Leur relation sera amicale et faite de respect mutuel. De Gaulle assistera aux obsèques d'Eisenhower en mars 1969 avant de s'éteindre en novembre 1970.

Eisenhower - De Gaulle. De l'amitié à l'alliance dans la guerre et dans la paix

To mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of France, the Département du Var and the Musée National de la Marine in Toulon are joining forces to highlight the landings on the Var coast on 15 August 1944.The exhibition Operation Dragoon. 1944, the Provence landings in photographs features a large number of photographs from French, British and American institutions, illustrating the preparation and conduct of this major yet little-known event of the Second World War.Opposite: A convoy of ships carrying the men of the 1st Army Corps set sail from Naples for France in preparation for the Allied landings on the coast of Provence (Operation Anvil-Dragoon) in August 1944.July to August: 10am-6pm dailySeptember to June: 10am-6pm every day except TuesdayClosed on 25 December and 1 January

Operation Dragoon 1944, the Provence Landing in Photographs

At the heart of the exhibition are the lives of six prisoners: Anton, Djajeng, Jane, Jules, Kam Hay, and Meta. Among them are Raden Mas Djajeng Pratomo and his wife Stennie Gret, who together fought against injustice, and the well-known Surinamese resistance fighter Anton de Kom. You can also discover lesser-known stories, such as that of the only Chinese prisoner held in Kamp Vught or a Russian chess enthusiast.One thing these six "main characters" have in common with the other 32,000 prisoners of Kamp Vught: all were imprisoned behind barbed wire during World War II. They were detained because of who they were, what they believed, or what they thought, or simply because they did not fit into the ideal image of Nazi Germany. By following a personal item, such as a book or a sewing machine, you trace the route the prisoners took, sometimes spanning thousands of kilometers. Through the perspective of the prisoner, you listen to their life stories.The texts are available in both Dutch and English, as are the audio stories.

Liefde in Oorlogstijd

De terrorist

Exposition : "Ils ont vu le débarquement à Juno Beach et la libération de Carpiquet" / Festival la semaine acadienne

Libération, Reconstruction, Réconciliation (1944-1961)

Expositie “Christo Stefanoff, vergeten schilder van oorlog en vrede”

The lucky ones grow old

De Jodenvervolging in foto’s. Nederland 1940-1945 - Bevrijdingsmuseum Zeeland

Expo 'Résistance(s)' à Rendeux

Expositie WOII verhalen uit de Kempen in de Mariatoren Hapert

Eisenhower - De Gaulle. De l'amitié à l'alliance dans la guerre et dans la paix

Operation Dragoon 1944, the Provence Landing in Photographs

Expositie 'Kruispunt Vught: 36 nationaliteiten achter prikkeldraad'

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Liefde in Oorlogstijd

De terrorist

Exposition : "Ils ont vu le débarquement à Juno Beach et la libération de Carpiquet" / Festival la semaine acadienne

Libération, Reconstruction, Réconciliation (1944-1961)

Expositie “Christo Stefanoff, vergeten schilder van oorlog en vrede”

The lucky ones grow old

De Jodenvervolging in foto’s. Nederland 1940-1945 - Bevrijdingsmuseum Zeeland

Expo 'Résistance(s)' à Rendeux

Expositie WOII verhalen uit de Kempen in de Mariatoren Hapert

Eisenhower - De Gaulle. De l'amitié à l'alliance dans la guerre et dans la paix

Operation Dragoon 1944, the Provence Landing in Photographs

Expositie 'Kruispunt Vught: 36 nationaliteiten achter prikkeldraad'

Registreer uw evenement op Europe Remembers