Belgium was liberated and the Second World War came to an end 75 years ago. Defence and the War Heritage Institute (WHI), in joint operation with numerous partners, have developed a national anniversary program. The commemorative year is launched on May 8, 2019 at the Royal Military Museum with a new permanent exhibition about the Second World War entitled “War – Occupation – Liberation.

The largest exhibition about 40-45 in Belgium
The War Heritage Institute’s main site, the Royal Military Museum, illustrates the most controversial period in Belgian history on 1,500 m2. An immersive display with film footage, documents, rare testimonials and more than 1,000 collection items are meant to make young and old reflect. The new gallery is an innovative and surprising addition to the existing and recently refurbished exhibition about the inter-war era and the outbreak of the Second World War. A total of more than 2,000 items spread over 3,000 m2 in that way explain a trying page in history.

History without taboos
In this new permanent exhibition the War Heritage Institute not only lists military operations, but also shows the political, economic and human consequences of war in a finely balanced presentation. The exhibition is built around 4 new themes: occupation and liberation of the country (1940-1944), the end of the war in Europe and in Asia (1944-1945), national-socialist repression, persecution and genocide (1933-1945). Even the most delicate subjects are broached: Belgian institutions, the part played by the King, resistance, collaboration, persecution of Jews and repression are all discussed in a European context.

Practical information
Exhibition “War – Occupation – Liberation”: from Thursday May 9, 2019 onwards
Free entrance on Sunday May 12, 2019 from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m.
Venue: War Heritage Institute – site Royal Military Museum, Parc du Cinquantenaire 3 – 1000 Brussels