The Anniversary of the Liberation at the Ravensbrück Memorial Museum
Anually, the Ravensbrück Memorial Museum marks the anniversary of the liberation of the women's concentration camp Ravensbrück on 30st April 1945, the historic date of its liberation by the Red Army. The anniversary is jointly organised by the Ravensbrück Memorial Museum and the International Ravensbrück Committee. The centrepiece of the commemorations is the central commemoration ceremony with speeches by survivors of the concentration camp and representatives of state and federal politics. There will also be a wreath-laying ceremony on the banks of Lake Schwedt. Throughout the weekend there will be a programme of events including exhibition openings, guided tours, readings and other commemorative events.
Historical background
Shortly before the end of the war, the International, Swedish and Danish Red Cross evacuated around 7,500 prisoners to Sweden, Switzerland and France. Following an evacuation order, the remaining 20,000 prisoners were driven north-west in marching columns. Many died on these death marches. On 30st April 1945, the Red Army liberated the Ravensbrück women's concentration camp and about 3,000 severelly ill prisoners who had been left there.
But the liberation did not end the suffering of many women, men and children. Many died in the weeks, months and years that followed. Those who survived often suffered for decades from the effects of their imprisonment in concentration camps.
After liberation, the Soviet army took over large parts of the former concentration camp. From 1948, former prisoners and the Association of Victims of the Nazi Regime tried to preserve at least the area around the crematorium and turn it into a place of remembrance. The first memorial service was held there in September 1948. From then on, commemorations were held every year and the site continues to be a place of meeting, remembrance and exchange.
80th anniversary of the Liberation - 1st to 4th May 2025
From 1 to 4 May 2025 we will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the women's concentration camp Ravensbrück. We cordially invite you to attend the events in Fürstenberg/Havel. Simultaneous translation (DE/EN/FR/PL) will be provided for the main commemoration and other events. The programme will be available soon.
The year 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Ravensbrück concentration camp. It will probably be the last anniversary that many survivors will be able to attend in person. The perspective of the 2nd and 3rd generation is therefore becoming increasingly important. Descendants of former prisoners tell the stories of their relatives and reflect on their own family history. Their active participation in public discourse and remembrance work will be all the more important on the upcoming anniversary.
