BACK TO THE FUTURE Restless Youth: Growing up in Europe, 1945 to Now

The exhibition explores the defining experiences of youth —  from education, employment and forging an identity — to becoming politically active and falling in love. To do this, the exhibition looks at four generations of young people who came of age at key moments in the European story: the late 1940s, the 1960s, the 1980s and the 2000s.

The hands-on exhibition shows visitors that the history of young people since the 1940s in Europe is one of transnational connections, agitation for social change and greater individual freedom, as well as the pursuit of material improvement and open cultural expression. The narratives are brought to life through an interactive collection of music, fashion, photography and videos. Try on the daring fashion creations from the 1960s. Chill out in a recreation of a 1980s teenager’s bedroom. Get creative and design your own protest banner for the new millenium!

“Restless Youth” takes a transnational perspective to explore how, during the past 70 years, young people have gone from being a group to whom history happened to a group that makes history.

For families and youngsters, the museum is organising a series of free engaging activities on every Sunday throughout June and July 2019. Young visitors will get the chance to design a giant protest banner, on a topic they select, based on objects, dreams, memories, even versions of their future self.  After creating the banner they can also prepare a song or catchy slogan to make their protest heard, and march as loudly as possible through the museum!

For teachers and educators “#Protest” workshops are available from September 2019, where students can discover the interests of “restless youth” groups in Europe over the past 70 years. Combined with a visit to the exhibition, students will explore why young people have taken their protests to the streets, and clothes and even hairstyles have become acts of rebellion.

The House of European History, located in the Parc Léopold at the heart of the European Quarter, opened to the public in May 2017. The museum is unique in that it takes a transnational, European approach to the history of the continent. It is open every day, admission is free and its permanent exhibition is available in 24 languages. More information on their website : www.historia-europa.ep.eu


Photos & texts credits : European parliament.