For the first time in the Netherlands
LISTEN is a pop-up expo by the War Childhood Museum. Started as a small civic initiative in Sarajevo, it now has branches in Kyiv, New York, Sarajevo and The Hague. The constantly growing collection consists of more than 5,000 personal objects, each with its own story. Also collected are hundreds of hours of video in which children testify how they experience conflict situations. From wars in Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan to the Bosnian Civil War and World War II. For the first time, LISTEN's unique collection can be seen in the Netherlands.
"A stuffed dog saved my life."
As a visitor, you will experience the resilience and creativity of children in harsh times. Take the story of Dmytro from Ukraine. During a mortar attack, his stuffed dog catches a bullet, causing him to escape death himself. Dmytro: "Since then, the dog felt like my best friend. I could tell him everything, even my worst fears. I decided to donate my dog to the museum because I think it's time to find a real dog to share my feelings with. Ideally, I would like a shar-pei or a boxer."
An acclaimed collection
Winner of the Council of Europe award, The War Childhood Museum is the only museum in the world to focus entirely on the impact of armed conflict on childhood. According to founder Jasminko Halilovic, LISTEN uniquely helps us understand the importance of peace. Successful writer Téa Obreht describes the expo as a "crucial tribute to the invincibility of life.
FOR CHILDREN
Listen, I'm whispering
"Paulientje is my doll. I got her from my mother. She has very big ears. She made them so that 'Plientje' always listens to me. Even when I am scared. If I say almost inaudibly: listen I whisper, she hears me, even when I am far away."
The Storyteller tells the story of Paulientje. A doll that is very special. Paulientje comes to the Storyteller in a special way and also leaves again. She lives in a weck bottle. Paulientje has big ears with which she can listen very well. Even crazier, even without those ears she would hear every word, even if you whisper.
A castle was built as a safe haven in times of war. Castle Heeswijk is therefore very pleased that we can present LISTEN as a first in the Netherlands. Moreover, the Christmas season is a time of reconciliation and the perfect time to be able to share these stories our visitors.
This exhibition was made possible in part by:
- Adrian foundation
- Gerardus Fund
- Foundation Support Fund
- V-fund
- Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy
- Rotary Eindhoven Center
- Rotary Soeterbeek
