Europe's Road to Healing

The journey from the ruins of war-torn Europe to the modern amalgamation of states now known as the European Union is one most often explained in political terms. Each step away from the smoldering ashes is usually known by a treaty's name or the place where an important summit was held.

When people feature in the story of Europe, it is our former leaders who are named; the EU's founding fathers Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman and Paul-Henri Spaak, among others.

What is often overlooked in the tale of this phoenix-like continent is the slower recovery of the Europeans themselves: the day-to-day process of surviving in postwar countries and the effects that the defining moments in our history had on individuals. This is the story told by the "It's Our History" exhibition at the Tour & Taxis expo complex in Brussels.

A permanent place of European memory

The exhibition, which runs until March 23, is the first major show by the Europe Museum of Brussels and will form the basis of a permanent exhibit once the museum finds a home of its own.

"This exhibition shows that we as Europeans have a common history," said Elie Barnavi, the museum's scientific director. "It is important to have such a display. We will keep many of the artifacts and will buy others to form the permanent collection. We will elaborate on the central theme, with temporary exhibitions focusing on different aspects of the European story as we expand."

Ten years ago, the idea of the Europe Museum was still only a collective thought in the minds of a group of scientists, historians and cultural promoters who were dedicated to creating a "place of memory" for Europe.

"We now have what we like to think of as an infrastructural home for the history of the Union, where we can show Europe as a diverse but unique civilization," said Barnavi, a former Israeli ambassador to France and professor of modern history.

The current exhibition takes visitors along the path of reconstruction and healing by following the road signs of agreements and contracts but poignantly emphasizes the human aspect through a breath-taking collection of artifacts donated from 80 museums across the continent.

Poignant reminders of Europe's struggle

The struggle for a return to normality after World War II is poignantly represented by a young girl's dress, sewn together from the flags of the Allied forces. The fight for freedom that continued long after the war ended can be seen in the illustrated diary of a young Hungarian during the 1956 anti-Communist uprising in Budapest and in the reconstructed razor-wire fencing of an Iron Curtain border barricade.

Guiding visitors through the exhibition, 27 individuals -- one from every member state of the European Union -- speak about their experiences through video footage at points relevant to their own story and involvement in the wider tale of Europe.

"We found these people through international contacts and embassies," Barnavi said. "It was hard work, but when they came together here, they created such great energy... To bring people with such experiences of hardship, loss and hope to one place, it was very moving how they shared their feelings despite the language barriers. They became a group. And they have some amazing stories.

"We have a Polish man who was involved in the signing of the Gdansk Agreement, which eventually freed Poland from communist rule, a Romanian guy who went from being an ice-hockey star to a European commissioner, and the French and English engineers who first shook hands through the meeting point in the Channel Tunnel."

Each individual has contributed a memento of their time and homeland to the exhibition.

Sounds and feelings from the past

While the exhibits themselves provide touchstones for Europe's defining events, the exhibition itself is more than just a show of collected pieces from the past. New installations and artwork present modern interpretations of the European story, while audio and visual displays add to the experience, transporting the visitor to recreated moments in time.

"A lot of museums around Europe have actual, solid evidence of its history," Barnavi said. "We have this too, but visitors are treated to sensory experiences also.

"For example, instead of pieces of the Berlin Wall, we have a darkened room where the cries for freedom, broadcast news reports and even the chipping of masonry can be heard. We want visitors to be transported to that time. Even if the language cannot be understood, the emotions and sounds are universal."