Tirailleurs: Trials and Tribulations - From Cannon Fodder to Avant-Garde - The Forgotten Soldiers Who Freed Europe
On August 15, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron invited the world to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Provence that followed the Normandy invasion and was pivotal to liberating France and Europe from Nazi Germany. The ceremony highlighted an often-overlooked truth: the majority of the 250,000 troops in the so-called B Army were African soldiers who, according to Le Monde, ‘came from the colonies’. In 2026, HKW seeks to address this gap with a wide-ranging programme that considers the role of the Tirailleurs in liberating France from Nazi Germany, how their efforts contributed to the liberation of Germany itself, and their impact on securing peace in Europe post-1945.
Haus der Kulturen der Welt
John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10
10557 Berlin,
Tiergarten
Tel: +49 (0)30 397 87-0
Opening Hours:
Wednesday–Monday
12–7pm
Extended opening hours during evening programs.