A Knot for Peace: History That Hits Home

​Yesterday, we visited the Mémorial de Caen in Normandy—one of France's most important World War II museums. Although we've been to Normandy before and explored the D-Day landing beaches, we had never taken the time to visit this museum. And honestly, we were deeply impressed—not just by how it's set up, but by the powerful story it tells.

The museum goes beyond facts and figures. It dives into the causes and consequences of war, focusing mainly on the 20th century. From World War I to the Cold War, with special attention to World War II and the Battle of Normandy, it paints a clear and very human picture of what war really means. Through original footage, personal testimonies, and artifacts, history becomes something you feel rather than just something you read.

For me, it was a place of remembrance and reflection. It helped me understand the bigger picture even more clearly—and why peace is something we can't take for granted.

At the same time, it was unsettling. You start recognizing patterns and tendencies from the lead-up to WWII… and you can't help but notice how similar some current developments are. You would hope humanity had learned its lesson from the darkest chapter of the 20th century. But the truth is, the world has seen dozens of wars and conflicts since then. And today, it feels like we're again speeding toward something dangerously familiar.

The photo shows one of the most symbolic pieces outside the museum: "Non-Violence," a sculpture of a revolver with its barrel knotted. Originally created by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd, it stands as a striking call for peace that feels more relevant than ever.