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 Netherlands

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

<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

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!

Love in Wartime

La mostra racconta le distruzioni della guerra, la storia delle forze alleate che liberarono Riolo e il contributo della lotta partigiana antifascista, anche grazie ad alcuni dei suoi protagonisti riolesi più importanti (fra tutti Ivo Mazzanti e Angelo Morini), nonché la storia degli IMI - Internati Militari Italiani, i soldati che dopo l'8 settembre decisero di non collaborare con la Repubblica di Salò e il Terzo Reich. La cerimonia di inaugurazione si terrà sabato 7 dicembre 2024 alle ore 10.00, con partenza dal Monumento delle Vittime Civili, ed i pannelli saranno presentati da Marco Dalmonte, dell’Associazione Senio River, che organizzerà una visita guidata lungo il percorso espositivo della mostra.Sabato 14 e sabato 21 dicembre 2024 gli studenti dell’Istituto Alberghiero di Riolo Terme organizzeranno ulteriori visite guidate, aperte al pubblico.L'allestimento della mostra sarà fruibile liberamente dalla cittadinanza a partire dal 7 dicembre 2024 e fino ad aprile 2025.

Italy

Le 127 Giornate di Riolo 

Devastation and ResilienceWhen war breaks out in May 1940, Neeltje is 19 years old. For her 15th birthday she received a camera. Since then she has been photographing and developing the pictures herself.With the German invasion of Westkapelle on May 18, 1940, she sees the purpose of her photography: to capture and document the events. However, photography is forbidden by the occupying forces. She secretly takes pictures from the skylight in the attic of her parents' house. She also takes pictures in the street, because Neeltje is dressed in costume and can hide her camera under her apron.For laterIn October 1944, now 80 years ago, the dike of Westkapelle was bombed several times, destroying the entire village. Neeltje records everything with her camera.On November 1, 1944, Westkapelle is liberated. The sea water has free rein and a life between low and high tide arises. The hole in the dike must be closed as quickly as possible. Hereby the people of Westkapelle show their resilience. They work very hard to close the hole as quickly as possible. The dike workers and their families went to live temporarily in German bunkers. On October 12, 1945, the time has come, the hole in the dike is closed. Emergency houses are built and the inhabitants can return to their beloved village. The ruins are cleared away and reconstruction can begin.Westkapelle will rise again and everything is recorded by Neeltje Flipse-Roelse, as she herself said, “For later.”

Devastation and Resilience (Neeltje Flipse-Roelse)

A terrible disaster has struck our village“A terrible disaster struck our village. A tremendous bombardment that lasted 2 ¼ hours. The consequences are terrible.” These are the first lines from a letter Maatje Roelse wrote to her niece Piete on October 26, 1944. Because this letter provides insight into the feelings of and consequences for survivors, some quotes from her letter have been reproduced.On October 3, 1944, the first bombing of Westkapelle took place. The Allies had decided to flood Walcheren in order to weaken the German defenses. Not only the dike, but also most of the buildings were destroyed. The death toll was enormous: 180 people perished.Fleeing to 'safer' places“Yes Piete, a lot I lost. Mother, my sister, brother-in-law, uncle, niece, nephew and a friend. What misery is brought upon the world.” Warnings to leave for “safer” places on the island were underestimated, but the ferocity of the bombardment and the sheer force of the incoming sea water caused a flood of refugees toward the surrounding villages that very night. “Now we are in Oostkapelle on a country estate.... And the consequences. Entire village destroyed, all arable land under sea water. Now you live almost as if in a daze and sometimes do not yet realize what you have lost because you are not at home. But if you start thinking then you can't get out of it.”

Westkapelle's inundation

Cette exposition éco-conçue par l’équipe du musée visera à mettre en valeur les collections et témoignages du musée. Sur les 45 000 militaires canadiens qui ont perdu la vie entre 1939 et 1945, environ 18 000 appartenaient à l’aviation, représentant une part exceptionnelle et essentielle de l’effort de guerre du Canada.

À la hauteur du défi, l'Aviation Royale du Canada pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale

Pendant 4 jours au Parc des expositions,&nbsp;des&nbsp;associations de reconstitution historique&nbsp;seront&nbsp;présentes avec du matériel et des véhicules&nbsp;d’époque. Les visiteurs pourront également retrouver&nbsp;des stands de&nbsp;libraires, journaux ou vendeurs d’articles anciens,&nbsp;mais aussi&nbsp;des sociétés d’histoire de la région,&nbsp;des musées mémoriels&nbsp;ainsi que&nbsp;des représentants&nbsp;des forces militaires&nbsp;(l’Armée de l’air et de l’espace,&nbsp;l’Armée de terre et la Marine nationale), qui&nbsp;mettront en valeur leurs inestimables recherches&nbsp;et pourront vous raconter la libération du territoire.Le Réseau Alsace Vosges Traces d'Histoire représentant 11 sites mémoriels alsaciens et vosgiens, soutenus par Alsace Destination Tourisme, présenteront sites, musées et champs de bataille.Des conférences, débats et prises de parole par&nbsp;des experts, historiens et passionnés rythmeront&nbsp;ces 4 jours.

Reconstitution grandeur nature Libération Poche de Colmar

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.

Exposition 'Kruispunt Vught: 36 nationaliteiten achter prikkeldraad'

From October 2024 to the end of 2025, the Thornsche Molen Foundation will present a cross-border project with the theme ‘Flights Then and Now’ as part of 80 years of Freedom.The theme was chosen with the background of the evacuation of the residents of the hamlet of Thornsche Molen at the time of WW2 at the end of September 1944. They had to flee the violence of war and so did many other groups and, of course, the residents on the German side of the border. We want and need to continue to commemorate the destruction of the hamlet but now, 80 years on, we are going to celebrate freedom above all! We will do so with the cooperation and involvement of our German neighbours! It is important to emphasise the preservation of our democracy and freedom with this project. We want to make an effort to involve the current generations and especially the youth in the project! The latter group is formed by schoolchildren from primary school Op Weg in Ooij and Grundschule Christophorus in Kranenburg. We also want to pay attention to the NOW refugees who can be found in our region, such as Syrians and Ukrainians.FREEDOM cannot be taken for granted and we must continue to fight for it!

The lucky ones grow old

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

De terrorist

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

Love in Wartime

Le 127 Giornate di Riolo

Devastation and Resilience (Neeltje Flipse-Roelse)

Westkapelle's inundation

À la hauteur du défi, l'Aviation Royale du Canada pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale

Reconstitution grandeur nature Libération Poche de Colmar

Exposition 'Kruispunt Vught: 36 nationaliteiten achter prikkeldraad'

Exhibition | Flights then and now

Register your event on Europe Remembers

Date

Country

Type of event

The lucky ones grow old

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

De terrorist

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

Love in Wartime

Le 127 Giornate di Riolo

Devastation and Resilience (Neeltje Flipse-Roelse)

Westkapelle's inundation

À la hauteur du défi, l'Aviation Royale du Canada pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale

Reconstitution grandeur nature Libération Poche de Colmar

Exposition 'Kruispunt Vught: 36 nationaliteiten achter prikkeldraad'

Exhibition | Flights then and now

Register your event on Europe Remembers