In the beginning of November 1944, in less than four months after the liquidation of the concentration camp at Majdanek, the first martyrdom museum in the world documenting events connected with the Second World War was established on its grounds. In 2014, the State Museum at Majdanek marks the 70th anniversary of its functioning. It will be an opportunity to remind of the Museum activities to date and reflect on the development of similar institutions in Europe. We present the most important events connected with the Museum jubilee and the 70th anniversary of the Majdanek camp liquidation.

May 17 International Museum Day The programme includes free guided tour through the Museum grounds and exhibition. June 3 Conference “Art of Remembrance. Monumental Sculptures on Holocaust Sites in Poland” Monuments on the grounds of the former German Nazi death camps differ from those which can be found on streets or squares. They are more like tombs, tributes, signs of remembrance, and at the same time artistic compositions. The conference attempts to answer questions concerning meaning, symbolism, reception, and influence of commemorations located in the post-camp areas. It will be held in the Museum – Memorial Site in Bełżec where one of the most moving monuments related to Holocaust in Europe was erected in 2004. June 26 – July 23 Exhibition “The Museum at Majdanek. 1944-2014” depicting development of the Museum and the most important events in its 70-years-old history. Venue: Łokietka Square in Lublin July 22 Observances of the 70th anniversary of the Majdanek camp liquidation The programme includes: - a ceremony commemorating the Majdanek victims that will be participated by the regional authorities and representatives of the diplomatic corps (near the Mausoleum); - visiting a multimedia exhibition “Prisoners of Majdanek” housed in barracks 62; - classical music concerts devoted to the victims of the Majdanek concentration camp and massacre of prisoners detained in the Lublin Castle carried out by Germans (the Lublin Museum). August 16 "Weekend Filled with History” – free guided tour through the Museum grounds and exhibition. Central theme: prisoners’ community at the Majdanek camp. September Book launch of the 26th issue of “Zeszyty Majdanka” [The Notebooks of Majdanek] highlighting especially the 70th anniversary of the camp liquidation and the Museum establishment. Oktober 8-11 “Days of Majdanek” – a series of museum events devoted to the history of the camp and Museum activities. The programme includes: - a lecture entitled “70 years of the State Museum at Majdanek”; - open day in the Collections Departament and Archives; - presentation of photographs taken at Majdanek after the camp liquidation; - meetings with former prisoners; - workshops for teachers combined with a book launch of „Edukacja pozaszkolna w Państwowym Muzeum na Majdanku. Jak przygotować, przeprowadzić i podsumować zajęcia dla uczniów” [Extracurricular Education at the State Museum at Majdanek. How to Prepare, Conduct, and Summarize Classes] - free guided tours for school classes and tourists. November 19-20 International conference “Martyrological Museums in Europe. Space of Presenting and Experiencing History” Museums on the grounds of the former German Nazi camps include not only cemeteries and traumatic landscapes alluding to dramatic events of the Second World War, but also institutions presenting historical exhibitions. Many of them lead intensified scholarly, educational and popularizing activities with the effects going beyond the museum borders. Nevertheless, the museums are perceived mainly as memorial sites, sometimes as tourist attractions, and rarely as elements of modern culture. Their reception depends mainly on the country in which they operate. The conference aims at creating a discussion forum attempting to asses European museums at memorial sites from many points of view. In the discussion will participate professionals from Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, France, and Poland. The conference will have a unique format – the same topic will be discussed by two speakers. It will give an opportunity to get familiar with Polish and foreign reflection about the most important issues concerning activities of martyrological museums. November Book launch of an album „70 lat Państwowego Muzeum na Majdanku. Historia ilustrowana” [70 Years of the State Museum at Majdanek. An Illustrated History]. The book makes a record of events which influenced the institution, whereas archival photographs remind about the Museum undertakings.