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.
Program Overview (see the full program)
Friday, May 2
• 3 PM – Commemorative event at the site of the former Grüneberg subcamp (PL/DE)
• 7 PM – Contemporary witness talk at Fürstenberg/Havel train station – (EN/DE)
Saturday, May 3
• 10 AM – Commemoration at the Soviet Memorial – (DE)
• 11:30 AM – Workshop discussion: The Men's Camp in the Ravensbrück Women's Concentration Camp Complex – (EN/DE/FR/PL)
• 2 PM – Commemorative event at the Youth Concentration Camp Uckermark Memorial and later extermination site – (EN/DE/PL)
• 3 PM – Opening of the exhibition “Women's Resistance in the Ravensbrück Concentration Camp” – (EN/DE/FR/PL) Museum
• From 10 AM – 24-hour Reading of the Names of Ravensbrück Victims – (DE)
• 5 PM – Inauguration of a memorial for political prisoners – (EN/DE/FR/PL)
• 6 PM – Concert “Fragments of Memory” – (EN/DE/FR/PL)
Sunday, May 4
• 10 AM – Central Commemorative Ceremony – (EN/DE/FR/PL)
• 12:30 PM – Catholic Memorial Service in Polish and Inauguration of a Memorial – (PL/DE)
• 12:30 PM – Memorial and Commemoration Ceremony for Persecuted and Murdered Lesbian Women and Girls (EN/DE)
• 2 PM – Choir Concert in Remembrance of Greek Women in Ravensbrück – (EN/DE)
• 3 PM – Interfaith Memorial “Courage for Peace” – (EN/DE/FR/PL)
All day – Exhibition Preview:
“Machines roar, needles drag the thread, sharp knives shine, cut apart, and pierce.” – (EN/DE)