Childhood in War

Moving exhibition at the Imperial War Museum looking at how war affects children.

The show felt mainly aimed at children but struck a balance between fun activities and serious information. It also balanced stories from the Second World War and those from conflicts since and including ongoing ones.

The story was told via installations with real objects scattered around them. I found the first one moving as it shows a child’s bedroom from the Second World War when my mother was a child.

The show looked at play, education, evacuees and refugees, indoctrination, home and health. There was a generous spattering of testaments to listen to and watch.

I loved the way that objects on display were not just generic but told specific stories of real people who were named. Who could failed to be moved by things like this tiny bear owned by John Hajdu, a Jewish child in Hungary who was hidden by neighbours and who then lived in Soviet occupied Hungary. There was a video of him holding the bear and talking about his experiences.

Closes 28 February 2027

Review

Telegraph