Gegen das Vergessen. Luigi Toscano. Zukunft braucht Erinnerung.

In the organizer's words:

Exhibition in two locations with 200 portraits

To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, this exhibition can be seen in May 2025 on the forecourt of the Forum and on the forecourt in front of the Leverkusen Casino.

May 8, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. To mark this day of remembrance and in view of the current sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Germany, the Hans und Berthold Finkelstein Stiftung gGmbH, the Leverkusen Adult Education Center and the Caritasverband Leverkusen e.V. are presenting a remembrance project in memory of the people persecuted and murdered under National Socialism and to strengthen democracy and tolerance. On the one hand, the exhibition "Deine Anne. A girl writes history", which was conceived by the Anne Frank Center Berlin. On the other hand, portraits of Shoah survivors will be presented at various locations in the city as part of the exhibition "Against Forgetting". Photographer and filmmaker Luigi Toscano, who has been named an "Artist for Peace" by UNESCO, has been portraying survivors of National Socialist persecution since 2014. There have already been around 500 encounters, including in Germany, the USA, Austria, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, the Netherlands, France and Belarus. The larger-than-life portraits are exhibited in public spaces and thus reach the viewers personally and emotionally, regardless of age, origin, language or education. The aim of the entire remembrance project is to address the issues of National Socialism, anti-Semitism and racism and to promote democracy, diversity and social responsibility. The two exhibitions are complemented by a rich supporting programme, which is supported by many social organizations and initiatives in Leverkusen.

Opening hours:
The outdoor exhibition "Against Forgetting" can be visited at any time during the exhibition period.

Public guided tours take place at the following times
Friday, 09.05.2025, 17:30 (with the artist Luigi Toscano)
Tuesday, 20.05.2025, 12:30 pm (with the artist Luigi Toscano)
Monday, 26.05.2025, 10:30 a.m.
Meeting point: Forum forecourt, Am Büchelter Hof 9
he courtyard 9
Guided tours for school classes and groups can also be requested at: info@vhs-leverkusen.de
The indoor exhibition "Deine Anne. A girl writes history" can be visited at the Bayer Erholungshaus during regular opening hours. Further information can be found at www.kultur.bayer.de.