Love in Times of War - Butterflies in the Stomach in the 1940s
The connection between love and war is intimate and as old as humanity itself. Under the threat of death, life—and love—are often experienced more intensely. During World War II, the conflict influenced the romantic lives of an entire generation. They experienced—just like always—those butterflies in their stomachs: in air-raid shelters, in hiding, at the front, or simply on the streets. The exhibition ‘Love in Times of War,’ running from June 5, 2024, to March 30, 2025, shows how people found each other under the most difficult circumstances and how emotions can break through anything. For what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in love?
This exhibition reveals the war from its most intimate, human side. From a boy who met his first boyfriend during forced labor in Germany to a newlywed couple who survived Auschwitz, constantly searching for signs that the other was still alive. These personal love stories often had far-reaching consequences, such as the migration of thousands of war brides to and from the Netherlands, the many children fathered by Allied or German soldiers, the persecution of homosexuals, and the widespread practice of paid love during the war years. Behind special curtains, adults can even peek at stories about sexuality in wartime and admire vibrators from the 1940s.
‘Love in Times of War’ is a unique exhibition that immerses visitors in the atmosphere of a cozy 1940s street, with fully furnished historical rooms on either side. One door opens into a living room, another into a hiding space, or a café celebrating liberation. This makes the exhibition an adventurous experience for both young and old. The exhibition is inspired by the book of the same name by Steffie van den Oord, available in a new edition from June 4, 2024.
The Freedom Museum tells the passionate story of love through unique pieces such as sheet music, diaries, love letters, and wedding dresses. This intimate exhibition features never-before-seen material that is sure to make your heart race!
Location: Freedom Museum, Wylerbaan 4, 6561 KR Groesbeek
Dates: June 5, 2024, to March 30, 2025
Website: www.vrijheidsmuseum.nl
Photo source of Jewish couple: NIOD (Photographer Oppelaar)
