This weekend, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May 2025, the 5th edition of Open Houses will take place in Antwerp. During this commemoration weekend, storytellers, relatives and residents will share stories about fellow citizens who lived during the World War II years at various small gatherings throughout the city. 

They will do this at special locations, such as the house where these people used to live. In this way, the stories of (Jewish) fellow citizens, resistance fighters and civilian victims about war, persecution and resistance come back to life. Everyone is welcome to listen, talk and commemorate together.

War

On 8 May 1945, the Germans signed the unconditional surrender and the Second World War in Europe came to an end. Although Antwerp had been liberated by the Allied armies since September 1944, the war violence continued until March 1945. Antwerp and its port became the target of German V-bombs. At least 3,560 people died in these attacks.

During the war years, Antwerp residents suffered hunger, fled, lived in uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones, went into hiding, died and betrayed each other. But they also helped each other, showed profound humanity and demonstrated a willingness to help others, sometimes at the risk of their own lives.

Thousands of Jews disappeared from the streets of Antwerp for good. Many resistance fighters and other political prisoners did not survive their engagement. Belgian and Allied forces were killed in the defense of democratic values, and citizens suffered en masse from the violence of war. More than 24,000 Antwerp residents would not survive the war.

Antwerp Remembers WWII

Open Houses is organised in the context of ‘Antwerp Remembers WWII’, with which the city of Antwerp wants to keep the memory of the war alive. Now that the last direct witnesses of the Second World War are gradually disappearing, this project tries to pass on these important stories to new generations and residents of our city through educational and public-oriented initiatives. ​

Mayor Els van Doesburg (N-VA), responsible for Heritage: “In the Open Houses where fear, hope and resistance lived together during WWII, we now let the voices of memory be heard. It is our responsibility to continue to tell the stories of those who came before us and for those who come after us. ‘Always free. Never self-evident.’ is therefore the central idea of ​​this edition of ‘Antwerp Remembers WWII’ with which the city of Antwerp wants to keep the memory of the war alive.” 

Names monument and exhibition in the MAS

In 2027, a monument-memorial will appear on the Scheldt Quays, near the Loodswezen or Pilotage Service, with the names of the 24,000 Antwerp victims of WWII.

The permanent exhibition in the MAS, ‘City at War: Antwerp 1940-1945’, offers an overview of the history of the occupation and liberation of the city, and of the many personal stories behind it.

More information ​

Registrations and all information about Open Houses can be found on the website of Antwerp Remembers. Please note: places are limited.