9 October 2025 - 4 January 2026

The Disavowed

Victims of National Socialism 1933 – 1945 – Today

This is an exhibition about people persecuted under National Socialism as „asocials“ and „career criminals“. Here, their experiences are at the forefront. Between 1933 and 1945 the German authorities and police acted on prejudices inherent in society. They subjected people to surveillance and harassment and robbed tens of thousands of their freedom. Many were murdered. West Germany, East Germany and Austria refused to grant them compensation. Politicians and society denied recognition of the suffering and injustice they had endured.

19 June 2025 - 14 September 2025

nevertheless here!

Children from Forbidden Relationships between Germans and Prisoners of War or Forced Labourers

During the National Socialist era, friendly and intimate contact between Germans and prisoners of war or forced labourers was undesirable. In some cases, they were strictly forbidden. But they are "nevertheless here": children who were born from such forbidden relationships. Their stories have long been taboo. They have hardly been academically researched and are barely present in the culture of remembrance. This exhibition is dedicated to their life stories.

08 March – 01 June 2025

The Third World in World War II

More soldiers from the so-called Third World fought in the Second World War than from Western Europe – more people died here than in Germany, Italy and Japan combined. The fascist Axis powers and the Allies recruited millions of auxiliary troops and labourers in their colonies - often by force. Large parts of the »Third World« served as battlefields and remained devastated after the end of the war.

13 September 2024 – 16 February 2025

Criticism under National Socialism

Cologne Cases 1934 –1944

In 1974, a major exhibition in Cologne explored the topic of “previously unexamined resistance” against the Nazi dictatorship. It presented the city's “strongest resistance groups” to show that in Cologne there had been “resistance all over at a local level”. Fifty years later, the NS-DOK is rededicating itself to this important topic, but from a different perspective.

05 July 2024 – 02 February 2025

Antifeminism - a Political Agenda

“Feminism is no longer needed!” At least that’s what antifeminist actors claim – and categorically reject feminism as a unified enemy. Antifeminism manifests itself in diverse ways. The exhibition provides initial insights and aims to encourage further examination.

26 April – 11 August 2024

Kulturretter:innen

The multimedia exhibition presents "cultural rescuers" (Kulturretter:innen) from four generations - people who were persecuted under National Socialism, offered resistance and saved culture for today.

08 November 2023 – 31 March 2024

Schalom & Alaaf

Since the beginning of the organisation of the Carnival in Cologne 200 years ago, Jews have been part of it – in the hustle and bustle on the street and in the bars, in associations, on stage and at the front of it.