81 years – End of the Second World War in Europe

On 8 May 1945, the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht was signed in the museum building in Berlin-Karlshorst before the four Allied powers. This marked the end of the Second World War in Europe.

8 May marks a pivotal turning point in European history: the end of the war and of 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 varied programme that combines historical perspectives with personal approaches to remembrance on 8 May.

Each year, the focus is on commemorating the liberation from National Socialism and paying individual tribute to the victims of German crimes during the Second World War.

Free entry.

PROGRAMME

Commented film screenings in the cinema – The signing of the capitulation in historical film footage
13.30 pm / 3 pm / 5 pm

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

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

Guided tours in German: 10.30 am / 3.30 pm / 5 pm
Guided tours in English: 12 pm / 4.30 pm / 5.30 pm
Guided tours in Russian: 1 pm / 4 pm / 6 pm
Guided tour in French: 2 pm
Guided tour in Ukrainian: 3 pm
Guided tour in Polish: 2.30 pm

No advance booking is required to take part in a public guided tour.

Individual guided tours for groups on 8 May 2026 are no longer available.

Special guided tours of the open-air exhibition ‘The German Surrender in May 1945’: Faces of the Surrender
11 am / 6.30 pm

This guided tour of the open-air exhibition “The German Surrender in May 1945” focuses on biographies of men and women who were present at the signing of the surrender. Their life stories and memories offer a personal insight into a pivotal moment in European history.

Reading café – The end of the war in Europe in international newspapers
10 am -6 pm

The news of the capitulation of the German Reich travelled around the world. Historical newspapers and magazines bear witness to this event. In the reading café – in the museum’s winter garden – visitors are invited to look through international press products over coffee and cake.

Interactive art installation “Reverberation 8th/9th May”
2 pm / 4 pm / 6 pm

The interactive art installation “Reverberation 8th/9th May” by historian Dora Busch and artist Jeremy Knowles examines the end of the Second World War from various perspectives. Sun sails bring excerpts from archives into the present, and during joint “listening sessions”, street interviews, music and historical artefacts 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 day.

Survey: Your thoughts on commemorating 8 May
10 am–6 pm

Sharing personal and family perspectives is part of a survey about remembering 8 May. The focus is on questions such as what feelings are associated with this date – such as grief, shame, joy or hope –, who is remembered on this day, and whether 8 May should be a public holiday.

Evening event: A place of remembrance: 8 May. A pan-German perspective
7 pm

On 8 May, the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst is hosting an evening event entitled “A Place of remembrance: 8 May. 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 have an impact today. What role do East German influences play in this – particularly in the debate on East German identities, which has become heated once again?

The event will explore historical experiences in dealing with the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, as well as how these are interpreted in current political discussions. At the same time, it will address the question of what significance remembrance holds 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 (Emeritus Professor, Humboldt University of Berlin; former Director of the Leibniz Centre for Contemporary History in Potsdam),
Ines Geipel (Author an former university lecturer),
Dr Jörg Morré (Director of the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst),
Moderation: Andreas Ulrich (Television and radio journalist)

To attend the evening lecture, please register at kontakt@museum-karlshorst.de. The number of places is limited.

Book sale: Individual museum publications will be available free of charge or at reduced prices on 8 May.

The permanent exhibition is open from 10 am to 8 pm.

Opening hours and guided tour programme on 9 May 2025:
10 am – 6 pm

Guided tour in English: 2 pm
Guided tour in Russian: 3 pm
Guided tour in German: 4 pm
Guided tour in Ukrainian: 5 pm

Please note the following when visiting the museum on 8/9 May 2026:
– The consumption of food and drink brought onto the museum grounds is not permitted. There will be a small selection of cakes and drinks available.
– Extended house rules apply. These can be viewed here.

Media representatives are requested to register their visit in advance and accredit themselves at schroeder@museum-karlshorst.de.

By attending the events, you agree that photographs and video footage in which you appear as part of a group shot may be used for the museum’s public relations purposes. The evening event at 7.00 pm will be recorded and published afterwards. Taking your own photographs or filming (e.g. with a mobile phone) is not permitted during the evening event. Accredited members of the press are exempt from this rule.