Museum van de Geest in Haarlem Presents 'Who Cares?' Exhibition on WWII Healthcare
The Museum van de Geest, located in Haarlem, is set to open its new exhibition, "Who Cares?", delving into the complex history of healthcare during the Second World War. Running from March 27 to December 31, 2025, the exhibition combines unique historical imagery with art to tell the stories of often-overlooked victims and unsung heroes within psychiatry and intellectual disability care during the conflict.
The exhibition provides insight into the challenges faced by healthcare providers and patients during the dark years of the war. It explores how care systems either endured or succumbed under Nazi pressure and whether they succeeded in preventing atrocities. During times of crisis, vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected and can be forgotten, a reality highlighted by the experiences of patients and care workers in mental health and intellectual disability institutions.
Visitors will encounter powerful narratives of despair, resilience, fear, and perseverance through compelling imagery of significant evacuations and personal testimonies. These stories aim to secure a place in our collective memory. The historical account is further enriched with unique outsider art, commemorating German artists who were early victims of the Nazi regime, alongside works from the Willem van Genk Truth Festival and the Collection de Stadshof. Author and program maker Splinter Chabot guides visitors through this history via an engaging audiotour, sharing personal reflections. A special program, "Boekendubbelganger in oorlogstijd," has also been developed for young people up to 27 years old.
Reflecting on Freedom with the 'Route naar Vrijheid'
To mark 80 years of freedom, the museum introduces the "Route naar Vrijheid" (Route to Freedom). This special path through the museum encourages visitors to contemplate the meaning of freedom through various artworks. It prompts questions about whether freedom is universal, whether it can be claimed or given, and how differences in understanding freedom can coexist. The route culminates with an invitation to sign the Universal Declaration of the Open Mind, emphasizing that freedom originates from an open mind.
Collaborative Stories with Noord-Hollands Archief
In a significant collaboration, the exhibition features unique loans from the Noord-Hollands Archief, including documents and photographs from the 'Stichting Volksherstel Haarlem.' This organization emerged from social support initiatives during the Dutch hunger winter, swiftly providing information and provisions to war victims and the population immediately after liberation, and assisting with medical screenings for those returning to Haarlem.
The Noord-Hollands Archief itself is also commemorating 80 years of freedom with its exhibition, "Bevrijd! En nu? Het eerste jaar na de oorlog" (Liberated! And now? The first year after the war), opening on April 22, 2025. This display presents an unprecedented look into the chaotic transition to peace and freedom through letters, photographs, reports, and forms from 1945 and 1946.
Experience 'Who Cares?' Online
For those unable to visit in person, the "Who Cares?" exhibition is also available as an online experience. You can explore the digital version on the museum's website at https://expo.museumvandegeest.nl/who-cares.
The "Who Cares?" exhibition at Museum van de Geest offers a poignant and reflective journey into a critical, yet often untold, aspect of World War II history. To discover more cultural experiences and explore other museums in the region, visit Musemap (musemap.art) or check out our list of museums and the interactive map for more cultural spots.
