Stiftung Brandenburgische Gedenkstätten Mahn‑ und Gedenkstätte Ravensbrück

Anniversary of the Liberation

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.

Preliminary programme:

  • Central commemorative event: with musical accompaniment by the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Youth Orchestra, speeches on a large stage and a press stage. This is followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the ‘Die Tragende’ monument. To ensure the best possible organisation of the event, we kindly ask you to register here registration form
     
  • International Forum of the 2nd and 3rd generation: exchange for relatives of former Ravensbrück prisoners to reflect on their experiences and discuss perspectives for the future. Simultaneous translation into DE/EN/FR/PL
     
  • Workshop discussion on the research project on the men's camp: Results of the project will be presented and a first insight into the digital exhibition will be given.
     
  • 24-hour reading of victims' names: From Saturday morning to Sunday morning, a group will read out the names of the victims of Ravensbrück at the historic entrance gate to the former camp site.
     
  • Market of remembrance and encounters: Organisations, associations, foundations, committed groups and individuals will present their projects and work on the history and present of Ravensbrück at stands.
     
  • Concert ‘Siła Miłości’: The concert is organised in cooperation with the Polish association “Rodzina Ravensbrück” and the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN). 
     
  • Opening of the exhibition: “With Courage and Confidence. Women's Resistance in the Ravensbrück Concentration Camp” In cooperation with the German Resistance Memorial Centre
     
  • Unveiling of a memorial plaque for the political prisoners 
     
  • Choir concert in memory of the Greek women in Ravensbrück 
     
  • Interreligious commemoration
     
  • Guided tours in several languages