Misconception about resistance hero ban

9 December 2022

Recently, in Dutch media, the Dutch Resistance Museum has been accused of wanting to ban the term resistance hero. This is a misconception. The museum has never used the term resistance hero in its exhibitions. In 1984, the founders of the museum, involved in the resistance, did not want to create a gallery of heroes. The Resistance Museum highlights a wide variety of resistance actions and forms, without making any statement about who is or is not a hero. Visitors can make this distinction themselves. 

The Resistance Museum has always sought nuances and shed light on different perspectives. The new exhibition (December 2022) pays tribute to the courageous people who took great risks under difficult circumstances to resist the Nazi regime. Portraits of perpetrators underline how dangerous resistance work was. It has become a beautiful, balanced exhibition that we are proud of, and that will hopefully inspire many visitors.