The Canadian soldiers who landed on our shores had one singular characteristic: they all enlisted voluntarily, whether they were defending a democratic ideal, an attachment to the Old Continent or, more simply, a thirst for adventure. But what remains of these motivations when they come up against the reality of the front line? Often relegated to the background in our history books, our cousins on the other side of the Atlantic were not spared the fighting of the Second World War: the disaster of Dieppe, the long strategic bombing campaign, and the harsh confrontations in "Sunny Italy", in the villages of Normandy, on the muddy banks of the Scheldt or in the heart of the dark woods of the Reichswald...

Discover the reasons for the Canadians' commitment, their disappointments and their hopes, revealed in the intimacy of their correspondence. This unique lecture offers a critical reading of ten or so previously unpublished letters from the front, to help you get to know our liberators better and measure the value of their sacrifice.

Clément Horvath, a French specialist in letters from Allied soldiers in the Second World War, draws on twenty years of collecting and research to give a voice to men and women who had never before given their testimony. He is the author of several books, including Till Victory (awarded by the Stéphane Bern Foundation and the National Museum of the US Army) and Till the Job is Done. As well as producing a number of podcasts and documentaries, he also showcases the most moving letters at conferences and exhibitions. His work was used as a guideline for the international ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Omaha Beach on 6 June 2024.

From 5pm, Clément Horvath will be signing books in the museum lobby.

• the 04 june 2026 from 18:00 to 19:00

• Address: Centre Juno Beach, Voie des Français Libres, 14470 COURSEULLES-SUR-MER
• Phone: View phone number02 31 37 32 17