EXHIBITION: In Love and Despised – Norwegian Women and German Soldiers

5 – 31 JULY: Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am – 3 pm
1 – 17 AUGUST: Saturday and Sunday, 11 am – 3 pm

Admission: 50 NOK

For most Norwegians, World War II stands as a period of unity and resistance against Nazism. The everyday life of the war was characterized by lack of freedom, fear and food shortages. The loss of life and the cruel fate of the Jews are frightening events in our collective history.

Through anniversaries, history writing and films, the war heroes have received their deserved honor. Recent research has nevertheless pointed out that there are several stories that should be told about the war.

The legal settlement after the war has been controversial, and new books on the subject were constantly published. Less illuminated are the punitive reactions that took place outside the legal system: physical abuse, popular incitement and condemnation. These particularly affected NS children, children with German fathers and Norwegian women who had love affairs with German soldiers.

The exhibition “In Love and Despised” is about the latter group. After the war, the public was characterized by moral and political condemnation of the “German girls”. People saw their election as a national betrayal – which sparked hatred, aggression and strong acts of revenge. This has affected both the women themselves, their families and descendants for a long time. The work on the exhibition has shown that many people are still reluctant to tell their family story.

Museum Nord, in collaboration with Nordland Academy, has set up the exhibition “In Love and Despised” in Rødgården at Melbu, originally set up at Oslo Museum. The exhibition in Rødgården contains both the original exhibition, as well as local material.