Day of Liberation: this is what happens in your area on this day
Table of contents
Table of contents
Berlin, May 8, 1945: On VE-Day (Victory in Europe Day / Liberation Day), the Wehrmacht signs its unconditional surrender.
The Allies continue to fight fiercely in the Pacific against the Japanese, who, like Nazi Germany, were part of the so-called Axis powers.
But the horror ends in Europe. By then, it is estimated that the Second World War had cost the lives of 70 million people.
What follows is a reappraisal that continues to this day.
The crimes committed by the Nazis on the other side of the front are particularly terrible. They imprisoned and killed millions of people in so-called concentration camps in order to implement their fascist ideology.
To this day, Germany has a responsibility to shed light on the crimes and explain the connections – so that history never repeats itself.
To this end, there are various events around May 8 near your Staytoo apartment.
We introduce you to the most exciting ones and explain why such events are still important 80 years after the end of the war.
Before we get started, however, the answer to one question is still very important to us:
Remembering and coming to terms with the Second World War: Is it necessary?
In Germany, more and more people are asking whether the Second World War still needs to be remembered.
After all, every schoolchild in this country has learned about this chapter in class and there are thousands of documentaries on the dark era of the Nazi period.
Critics see the culture of remembrance, as it is called in Germany, as a so-called cult of guilt and defend themselves against it.
However, this is a dangerous misunderstanding that populists deliberately exploit for their own purposes.
Commemorative events and exhibitions on Liberation Day are not about blaming Germans today for something that happened over 80 years ago. Most of the criminals from that time have died anyway.
Unfortunately, this also applies to contemporary witnesses who were victims of the Nazi reign of terror. With their death, the memories of that time, which brought unspeakable suffering to the world, are in danger of fading.
The culture of remembrance has the important task of working against this forgetting. Not so that young people like you feel guilty. But so that we all never forget what happened back then and why it happened.
Only then can we see through similar mechanisms in the present and prevent people with bad intentions from coming to power again. Because that can happen faster than you think.
We therefore strongly recommend that you take the opportunity to attend this year’s events on the topic in your area.
They may not be the most enjoyable events. But they will leave their mark on you and give you a deep insight into a chapter of German history that should stay in people’s minds forever.
For this to succeed, we all have a responsibility to keep ourselves informed about what happened. This was also the case on Liberation Day, May 8.
Events in Berlin
During the Second World War, Berlin became the scene of the final, all-decisive battle. Surrounded by Allied troops, Adolf Hitler took his own life in a bunker.
After the conquest of Berlin, the Allies divided the city into four sectors. The fate of the division of Germany took its course: to this day, Berlin is a historical and central place of reappraisal.
This year, Berlin is celebrating May 8 as a public holiday for the first time.
A themed week with over 100 events has been running in the capital since May 2. The theme week begins with the oratorio “Liberation” by composer Marc Sinan and continues with guided tours, lectures and exhibitions.
Here is a selection of exciting events:
Be sure to check the complete calendar of events to find out the most interesting events for you.
When?
May 02 to 11
Where?
All over the city
After years of heavy fighting and heavy losses, the Wehrmacht officially surrendered in Berlin-Karlshorst on May 8, 1945. In the building where the surrender was signed by the High Command, there is a museum with an open-air exhibition in the museum garden. Very worth seeing and historically close.
When?
Until further notice
Where?
Museum Berlin-Karlshorst
Zwieseler Str. 4
10318 Berlin
Events in Leipzig
During the war, Leipzig was repeatedly the target of Allied air raids. In April 1945, the city was finally captured by US troops, but was later integrated into the Soviet occupation zone. Leipzig was of great importance both strategically and culturally, as it was an important hub of the so-called German Reich.
From the landing in Normandy to the march to central Germany: in the Capa House you follow in the footsteps of the US forces on their way to liberating Europe. But “Who liberated whom?” This question will be answered in the course of the highly interesting exhibition.
When?
April 16 to July 31
Where?
Capa-Haus
Jahnallee 61
04177 Leipzig
When the US army arrived in the city, there were still tens of thousands of foreign forced laborers in Leipzig at the time. Many of these displaced persons, who had been deported here by the Nazis, traveled back to their home countries via Plagwitz station. On this tour, you will learn more about the oppressive reality of that time.
When?
May 10 / 11:00 – 13:00
Where?
Meeting point: Parking lot in front of the Lofft (Spinnereistraße 7, 04179 Leipzig)
Events in Nuremberg
Nuremberg has had an eventful history in many respects: during Hitler’s time, it was known as the “City of the Nazi Party Rallies”. These events were used by the regime for propaganda and self-promotion. After liberation by the Allies, important trials were held in Nuremberg in which leading figures of National Socialism were brought to justice for their deeds.
Expropriations of Jewish businesses were commonplace during the National Socialist era. The background to this was so-called Aryanization: the targeted and systematic ousting of Jewish citizens from public life. This was also the case for the company J.W. Spear & Sons, which became famous for successful games such as Scrabble. Take a guided tour to find out more about the eventful history of the company, which was active on the market for over 100 years.
When?
May 17 / 19:30 and 21:00 (Blue Night)
Where?
Meeting point: Foyer Pellerhaus
In the wake of the defeat of the National Socialists, the Allies conducted trials. Influential criminals from politics and business were sentenced in these tribunals. The Nuremberg Trials became world-famous in this context. Gain an overview of the history of the trials and get to know important places such as the Palace of Justice and the prison.
When?
November 21 to 23 / 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where?
Memorium Nuremberg Trials, Room 600
Events in Bonn
Bonn became the German capital after the end of the Second World War – but only four years after the end of the war, in 1949. Far-reaching decisions were made in the city, such as the decision in 1955 to admit the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) to NATO. As a reminder, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) existed in the east of the country and was separated from the FRG by a wall from 1961 to 1989. Bonn was also the birthplace of the “Bonn system”, a form of democracy based on the lessons of the Nazi era.
The NS Documentation Center and Memorial Bonn offers a guided tour of the war cemetery at the North Cemetery. Over 1,000 soldiers were buried here, both from the First and Second World Wars. A tour of the cemetery may be oppressive, but it is also very instructive and interesting.
When?
May 9 / 16:00 – 17:30
Where?
Meeting point: Main entrance of the North Cemetery
Bamberg, Bonn, Dresden, Frankfurt am Main: book burnings took place throughout Germany during the Nazi era. The first cities began this appalling practice as early as 1933. Works by important writers such as Lion Feuchtwanger, Bertolt Brecht, Erich Kästner and many others were burned. The Nazis’ aim was to exert control through censorship. Their racist and anti-Semitic ideology offered no room for liberal, democratic or other liberal ideas.
As part of the commemorative event, students from the University of Bonn will read works by authors whose texts fell victim to the fires at the time. The focus will be on authors who survived the concentration camps or exile.
When?
May 10 / 2:00 p.m.
Where?
At the reading memorial on the market
Events in Kaiserslautern
Kaiserslautern was an important key city in the fight against the Nazis, especially for the US Army, mainly due to its strategic proximity to the Rhine. As part of the occupation zone, American and Palatinate influences intermingled, resulting in a fascinating cultural melting pot.
This town hall meeting will focus on current issues such as:
- What influence do the US elections have on Kaiserslautern?
- How does the US presence affect society, security and the economy in the region?
Of course, the fact that Kaiserslautern has been shaped by the US presence for decades plays a role here. The Townhall Meeting focuses on interactive exchange, so it is not a purely frontal event. In other words, you can ask questions yourself and contribute your perspectives and views.
When?
May 7 / 7:30 pm
Where?
Peace Chapel Kaiserslautern
This tour of Kaiserslautern and the surrounding area promises an entertaining search for clues. Michael Geib, the former director of the Ramstein Docu Center, will tell you how the American and French military shaped the region. Thanks to the memories of contemporary witnesses and photos, this tour is sure to remain in your memory.
When?
Registration required: 0631 365-4019 or by e-mail to the Tourist Information.
Where?
Tourist Information
Fruchthallstraße 14
More articles in our blog
History, and thus also Liberation Day on May 8, can help us to consciously shape the here and now.
Have you got the urge to get socially involved? Then read our top articles on the topic now:
In conclusion, it remains to say once again: take the opportunity to inform yourself about the darkest part of German history.
Ahoy and see you soon!
Your Staytoo team
