A major historical exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II is offering visitors in Athens a comprehensive look at one of the most consequential years in modern history.
Presented by the Hellenic Parliament Foundation for Democracy, 1945: The End of the War examines the final months of the global conflict and the profound political and social transformations that followed. Drawing on extensive research in Greek and international archives, public institutions and private collections, the exhibition brings together rare photographic material and original historical documents to tell the story of a world at a turning point.
Running through July 31st, 2026, the exhibition traces the dramatic events that shaped the post-war era, guiding visitors through a sequence of pivotal moments that continue to influence global affairs eight decades later.
Among the key themes explored are the liberation of Nazi concentration camps, the fall of Berlin and the surrender of Nazi Germany. The exhibition also examines the final stages of the war in the Pacific, including the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, events that transformed the course of history and ushered in the nuclear age.
Jewish survivors of a Nazi concentration camp, photograph taken in Sidirokastro, Greece.
Beyond the battlefield, 1945: The End of the War highlights the diplomatic efforts that laid the foundations for the modern international system. Visitors will encounter material related to the Yalta and Potsdam conferences, the establishment of the United Nations and the Nuremberg Trials, which sought to deliver justice in the aftermath of unprecedented destruction.
A particular highlight of the exhibition is its presentation of rare photographic material being shown in Greece for the first time. Combined with original documents, these images create a vivid and often moving portrait of a year defined by both devastation and renewal.
Rather than focusing solely on military history, the exhibition presents 1945 as a moment of transition—one in which the horrors of war coexisted with hopes for peace, reconstruction and international cooperation. Through this lens, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on why the events of that year remain deeply relevant in the contemporary world.
1945: The End of the War is on view at the Former Public Tobacco Factory in Athens. Admission is free.
Information
Dates: Now – July 31, 2026
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Weekends, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: Former Public Tobacco Factory, 218 Lenorman Street, Kolonos, Athen
