Marking the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe during the Second World War, IWM North, is presenting a major day of events, exclusive free talks, film screenings and special activities on Sunday 3 May.
The unique events will reveal how celebrations unfolded across Greater Manchester, the North West of England and the UK, while new objects on display reflect on the enormous impact of the conflict on every aspect of society.
Based on new and ongoing research, DJ, author and cultural historian Dave Haslam will discuss the wartime music scene in a special talk about Nightlife in 1940s Manchester. His talk and Q&A for visitors at 12pm on 3 May will reveal intriguing stories from an era when everything was rationed except the urge to go out dancing. Hear about the effect of wartime on nights out and the post-War flowering of basement clubs in the city.
An exclusive new film from the North West Film Archive will premiere at IWM North at 1pm and 3pm on the same day. The previously unseen edited compilation of footage offers an insight into life on the home front during the Second World War.
Shot in the North West of England, the film depicts a varied picture of civilian life, including emotional scenes in Manchester City Centre on VE Day as civilians and servicemen celebrate long into the night with street parties and impromptu sing-alongs in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens. The footage will be projected onto a 27ft high wall of IWM North’s Main Exhibition Space, surrounded by objects from IWM’s Second World War collection.
Objects new on display at IWM North to mark VE Day include the Academy Award (Oscar) awarded for the film True Glory (1945), which won best documentary for its depiction of the victory on the Western Front. IWM North’s timeline of 20th Century conflict reveals how war shaped the lives of all those on the home and fighting fronts during the Second World War.
Unique objects and personal stories on permanent display include the possessions of Marjorie Prince who was evacuated overseas; a message sent to all schoolchildren by King George VI after VE Day; and a letter home written by Edward Charlton, last Victoria Cross recipient of the conflict, whose family learned of his death on the Western Front after the war in Europe had already ended. A Closer Look: VE Day tours run throughout May to delve deeper into some remarkable personal stories from the conflict.
Revealing the wide ranging impact of the war on all aspects of society, visitors to IWM North on Sunday 3 May can also discover how victory in Europe and the end of the war did not put an immediate end to rationing of food or clothes.
From onesies to wear in the Air Raid Shelters to jewelry created from aeroplane parts, men and women in Britain had found new ways to dress within severe austerity measures. As a major Fashion On The Ration exhibition opens in IWM London, author of the accompanying book Julie Summers joins visitors at IWM North to talk about how fashion survived and even flourished in 1940s Britain. The talk and Q&A takes place at 1.30pm.
Visitors inspired by Haslam’s talk on nightlife can take part in a 1940s dance taster session in IWM North’s Main Exhibition Space. Meanwhile those inspired by Summers’ talk on fashion can get their hair done in an authentic 1940s style by a vintage stylist on site and share a #40sSelfie @IWMNorth on Twitter. Or come already dressed in your own vintage clothes to take part in a 1940s fashion parade, compered by Haslam.
Members of IWM North’s Veterans North group will be on hand throughout Sunday 3 May to share their own memories of VE Day, as IWM encourages everyone to discover more about this historic event and talk to people in their own families and communities who witnessed the day so that their memories can be shared with others on Friday 8 May to mark the anniversary itself. #VEDayMemories
