The Liberation War Museum is a place for future generations to know of the contributions, sufferings, and sacrifices made by the people during the struggle for Bangladesh. It is a means to keep the memories of the Liberation War and spirit of independence alive.
Recently two students were seen at the entrance to the museum engaged in an animated conversation on their experience there. More visitors of various ages thronged the nearby eternal flame, which symbolizes the undying spirit of the 1971 Liberation War.
Asmaul Husna had brought her daughter to the museum to educate her about the struggle to become an independent nation.
“I want my daughter to feel the patriotism and respect for freedom fighters that I felt when I visited the museum as a young girl,” she said.
The modern structure of the museum, covering about 20,000sqm, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on April 16, 2017. Previously, the museum had been housed in a two-storey colonial building with displays in six galleries.
“The museum is definitely an initiative by eight of the trustees, but over the years it has become the people’s museum that we aspired for,” said Sarwar Ali, one of the trustees.
The importance of documentation and archiving
“Documenting and archiving history is very important for two reasons: it is a matter of pride, and we owe it to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives. There was a reason behind the war, which was that people wanted a democratic country. By preserving the memory of the struggle for liberation, we can help the next generation keep the spirit of independence alive,” Sarwar Ali said.
The museum has over 25,000 pieces of memorabilia in its collection, including rare photographs, documents, coverage of the struggle by media and materials used by freedom fighters and martyrs of the Liberation War, according to museum Curator Amena Khatun.
Although the museum was established in 1996, the collection of memorabilia started in 1995. Only 15% of the memorabilia is currently being displayed.
Liberation War Museum gallery Courtesy
Sarwar Ali said there was initially some fear that the families of martyred freedom fighters would be unwilling to hand over their memorabilia.
“Contrary to our concerns, they all, including children of the martyrs and freedom fighters as well as civilians, contributed whatever they had. We collected things ranging from newspaper cuttings to personal objects,” he added.
A walk through the four galleries of the museum takes visitors on a journey from the Bangladesh of prehistoric times to the Liberation War in chronological order.
Sofia Nazeen, assistant archive officer, said all the memorabilia is being preserved by using scientific methods. The museum has collaborated with various international museums and organizations to enrich its knowledge of preserving historical artefacts.
Documenting eyewitness accounts
With the objective of educating the new generation on the history of the Liberation War, the museum launched the Combined Outreach Program for school students. To preserve unheard stories and the oral history of the war, students across the country are encouraged to collect eyewitness accounts of 1971.
The program also aims to build a central archiving of historical accounts. So far, 70,000 accounts have been collected, said Sofia Nazeen.
When a child takes the interview of an eyewitness of the war, he or she becomes involved with our Liberation War, said Sarwar Ali.
Several books have been published based on these oral histories, he added.
“However, there are some limitations in collecting oral history through the young generation. The authentication or cross-checking required for oral history was not conducted as stringently,” Sarwar Ali further said.