Bunkermuseum Antwerp Supports New WWII Commemoration at Stenenbrug
A significant milestone in Antwerp's wartime remembrance is set to take place this spring. On Thursday, May 8, a small World War II-era bunker located at Stenenbrug in the district of Borgerhout will become the focus of a local commemoration. The event marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the conflict in Europe on May 8, 1945.
As part of the commemoration, a new public installation will be unveiled to encourage reflection on the consequences of conflict.
How to Attend the May 8 Commemoration in Borgerhout
The public gathering will begin at 12:00 PM at the Stenenbrug bunker site. Visitors and residents are invited to attend the unveiling of "Seed of Hatred," a poem that reflects on the destructive cycles of war, animosity, and retaliation.
The ceremony will feature short addresses from Mariam El Osri, the district mayor of Borgerhout, and Koen Huybreghts, representing the historical initiative "Project Scars." The poem itself will be read aloud by Wilfried Defillet, who helped organize the tribute. According to the organizers, all members of the public are welcome to attend this outdoor memorial.
Uncovering Antwerp's WWII Railway Heritage
Though the Stenenbrug structure is one of the smallest bunkers in the Antwerp region, its historical authenticity was only recently confirmed. The team at the Bunkermuseum Antwerp assisted in identifying the origin of the small concrete installation.
By consulting a historical Ministry of Defence report detailing German military structures built on railway property, researchers were able to verify when the bunker was constructed and trace its likely original ownership.
For a quarter of a century, the Bunkermuseum Antwerp has worked to preserve and interpret the city's wartime history, focusing primarily on the larger command-bunker complex located in Park Den Brandt. The museum preserves artifacts and stories related to the Atlantikwall, aerial warfare over Antwerp, and the impact of V1 and V2 weapons. Museum representatives expressed their appreciation for this grassroots initiative, noting the importance of utilizing even the smallest remnants of wartime infrastructure to foster local education and remembrance.
To discover more historical landmarks and cultural spots across the city, use Musemap (musemap.art) to explore Antwerp museums or locate important heritage sites on the interactive local map.
