81 years – the end of World War II in Europe

May 8 marks a pivotal turning point in European history: the end of the war and Nazi tyranny. At the same time, it remains a date that is remembered and interpreted in different ways to this day.

To mark the 81st anniversary of the end of the war, the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst invites you to a diverse program that combines historical perspectives with personal approaches to remembrance on May 8.

Each year, the focus is on commemorating the liberation from National Socialism as well as the individual remembrance of the victims of German crimes during World War II.

All events are free of charge.

PROGRAM

Commented film screenings at the cinema – The signing of the surrender in historical footage

12:30 PM / 3:30 PM / 5:00 PM

Correspondents from various countries reported on the signing of the surrender on May 8 in Berlin-Karlshorst. The journalistic documentation of the day through photos and film footage is rich in detail. It begins, for example, with the arrival of the delegations from the Allied powers at Tempelhof Airport or follows their journey to Karlshorst through the devastated city of Berlin.

Short guided tours of the historic site of the surrender on May 8, 1945

Public tours in German, Russian, English, Ukrainian, Polish, and French.

Advance registration is not required to participate in a public tour.

Overview tours for groups can take place between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. upon registration. Please send group registrations to: kontakt@museum-karlshorst.de

Special tours of the open-air exhibition “The German Surrender in May 1945”: Faces of the Surrender

11:00 a.m. / 6:15 p.m.

As part of a guided tour of the open-air exhibition “The German Surrender in May 1945,” we explore the biographies of men and women who were present at the signing of the surrender. Their life stories and memories offer a personal perspective on a pivotal moment in European history.

Reading Café – The End of the War in Europe in International Newspapers

10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

News of the German Reich’s surrender spread around the world. Historical newspapers and magazines serve as contemporary accounts of this event. In the Reading Café—located in the museum’s winter garden—visitors are invited to browse through international press publications while enjoying coffee and cake.

Interactive Art Installation “Echoes of May 8–9”

2:00 PM / 4:00 PM / 6:00 PM

The interactive art installation “Echoes of May 8–9” by historian Dora Busch and artist Jeremy Knowles examines the end of World War II from various perspectives. Sun sails bring excerpts from the archives into the present, and during joint “listening sessions,” street interviews, music, and historical artifacts are interwoven. As visitors walk together through the museum garden, a space is created for sound, reflection, and open dialogue about historical events and their significance for the present.

Survey: Your thoughts on remembrance on May 8

10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

The exchange of personal and family perspectives is part of a survey on remembrance on May 8.

Evening event: May 8 as a Place of Remembrance. A Pan-German Perspective

7:00 PM

On May 8, the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst invites you to an evening event titled “May 8 as a Place of Remembrance: A Pan-German Perspective.” The focus is on how memories of the end of the war differ in East and West Germany, how they relate to one another, and how they continue to resonate today. What role do East German influences play in this—especially in the renewed, heated debate surrounding East German identities?

The event will address historical experiences in dealing with the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, as well as their interpretation in current political discussions. At the same time, it will explore the significance of remembrance for a democratic self-image in Germany. The event invites participants to bring different perspectives to light and open them up for debate.

With:

Prof. Dr. Martin Sabrow (Professor Emeritus, Humboldt University of Berlin; former Director of the Leibniz Center for Contemporary History in Potsdam),

Ines Geipel (author and former university lecturer),

Dr. Jörg Morré (Director of the Berlin-Karlshorst Museum),

Moderator: Andreas Ulrich (television and radio journalist)

To attend the evening lecture, please register at kontakt@museum-karlshorst.de. Space is limited.

Book sale: Selected museum publications will be available on May 8 for free or at discounted prices.

The permanent exhibition is open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.